The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced its intention to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the controversial Expropriation Bill into law, describing it as a partisan move that undermines constitutional principles.
DA reacts to Expropriation Bill signed into law
In a statement issued shortly after the signing, the DA reaffirmed its opposition to the Bill, stating it recognises the importance of land reform but takes issue with both the process and the contents of the legislation.
The party argued that the Bill’s provisions for “nil compensation” in certain circumstances, such as land held for speculation or abandoned properties, risk creating loopholes for abuse and could discourage investment.
The DA confirmed it is consulting its legal team to formulate a court challenge, which could add further delays to the implementation of the legislation.
The Expropriation Bill, which replaces the pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975, has been a contentious topic for years.
Ramaphosa emphasised during the signing ceremony that the law aligns with the Constitution and provides a fair framework for expropriation in the public interest, following mediation and negotiation with property owners.
Reactions from political parties
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly criticised the Expropriation Bill, calling it a “legislative cop-out” that fails to address land restitution meaningfully.
The party accused the African National Congress (ANC) of using the Bill as a facade to placate public discontent over land inequality while maintaining the status quo of compensation-centric expropriation.
In a detailed statement, the EFF highlighted that Section 25 of the Constitution prioritizes compensation in expropriation cases, limiting the potential for transformative land reform.
“This legislation is a betrayal of the landless majority,” the EFF said, adding that it plans to table alternative legislation aimed at amending Section 25 to enable expropriation without compensation.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala praised the Bill as a historic milestone.
Zikalala called it a legislative step toward addressing the inequities created by apartheid-era land policies and unlocking land for socio-economic development.
“This is a culmination of the long history of struggle waged by the forbearers against the dispossession of the majority of Black people through the 1913 Land Act and the notorious Group Areas Act. We will use the newly promulgated legislation to enhance the delivery of infrastructure development programmes, industrialisation, and agricultural reform that improves food security,” Zikalala said.
As the political debate rages on, implementation of the Expropriation Bill remains uncertain, with opposition parties and advocacy groups likely to challenge its provisions in court.