For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Land Bank says land expropriation could trigger default, first witness to testify on Day 2 of state capture inquiry  And, Legal Resource Centre disappointed by ruling in labour tenant claims case

 

Land Bank says land expropriation could trigger default

South Africa's State-owned Land Bank said a plan to allow the State to seize land without compensation could trigger defaults that could cost the government R41-billion rand if the bank's rights as a creditor are not protected.

Land Bank is a specialist bank providing financial services to the commercial farming sector and other agricultural businesses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on August 1 that the ANC was forging ahead with plans to change the constitution to allow the expropriation of land without compensation.

Land Bank Chairperson Arthur Moloto said in the company's 2018 annual report that the bank has approximately R9-billion in debt.

 

First witness to testify on Day 2 of state capture inquiry

Treasury’s chief procurement officer Willie Ndleleni Mathebula will be the first witness to testify at the commission of inquiry into State capture, sitting in Johannesburg today.

Mathebula is expected to speak on government procurement processes as the inquiry is investigating allegations of undue influence by the politically connected Gupta family on members of the executive and at State-owned entities.

The witness list includes Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas, former Government Communication and Information System CEO Themba Maseko, current acting GCIS CEO Phumla Williams and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor.

 

Legal Resource Centre disappointed by ruling in labour tenant claims case

The Legal Resources Centre yesterday said it was disappointed by a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment rejecting arguments to appoint a special master to oversee land claims made by labour tenants.

The case went on appeal to the SCA after the Land Claims Court ruled in December 2016 that a special master be appointed to expedite claims for portions of lands that labour tenants have worked and lived on.

At the time, the Land Claims Court acknowledged the "dire state of labour tenant applications".

Judge Thomas Ncube in the 2016 judgment said the effective relief is undoubtedly required for the many thousands of vulnerable labour tenants.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

To keep in touch with the news while you are on the move, visit m.polity.org.za