The trade union Solidarity will submit its objections to the controversial Expropriation Bill to the portfolio committee for public works tomorrow. The trade union is of the opinion that this contentious Bill, which president Jacob Zuma reportedly wants to pass this year, will have far-reaching consequences for property rights in South Africa.

According to Piet le Roux, head of the Solidarity Research Institute, this legislation is unconstitutional and economically damaging. “The bill poses great danger for the economy and for the rule of law. Owners of any property, not just land, will find it extremely difficult to receive market value for their expropriated property. In the event of owners being unsatisfied with the compensation or the administrative process followed, owners will face an uphill battle against a legal process heavily loaded against them. The bill leaves the door for the arbitrary exercise and abuse of power wide open”, Le Roux explains.

Solidarity is further of the opinion that the Institute for Race Relations’ proposed alternative to the Bill is currently the best proposal on the table as it largely addresses the constitutional shortcomings of the proposed Bill.

Issued by Solidarity