Only days left to halt the move towards land nationalisation

The nationalisation of land is a distinct possibility that is coming ever closer to reality – the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill now making its way through Parliament will pave the way for this.

South Africans have until Friday to register their objections and to call a halt to it.

The Bill would alter the Constitution to introduce an explicit requirement that state “custodianship” be introduced for certain land. “Custodianship” is a euphemism. In practical terms it would mean that the state has effectively nationalised property.

This would amount to confiscation through legislation.

This amendment, along with the Expropriation Bill, poses a grave threat to property rights in South Africa. Together they will remove key protections against state intrusion and abuse. Moreover, they will further erode the foundation of our already ailing economy, which will only worsen socioeconomic conditions in the country.

The nationalisation of land must be stopped, as it is not in the interest of the people but rather in the interest of a corrupt elite that is seeking to increase its own power and wealth.

Says IRR Project Manager, Terence Corrigan: “The assault on property rights, and the push to nationalise land, does nothing to promote the rectification of historical wrongs or to address poverty and economic exclusion. Rather, it will empower an often dysfunctional and venal state. There is plenty of evidence that South Africans are committed to the idea of owning their property, not to being perpetual tenants of the state. It’s long past time to dispense with the current trajectory and think seriously about land reform in terms that expand and secure property rights, not undermine them.”

Help us stop land nationalisation before the Friday deadline by visiting our website: https://irr.org.za/campaigns/kill-the-bill-stop-ewc.

Media contacts: Terence Corrigan, IRR Project Manager – 066 470 4456; terence@sairr.org.za

Duwayne Esau, IRR Campaign Officer – 081 700 0302; duwayne@irr.org.za

Media enquiries: Michael Morris Tel: 066 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za

Kelebogile Leepile Tel: 079 051 0073 Email: kelebogile@irr.org.za