"Cosatu's presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works on the Expropriation Bill today in Parliament, spells danger for the whole economy of South Africa. Cosatu proposes that expropriation should be used to nationalize key strategic industries such as Sasol, Mittal, commercial banks and monopoly industries. On the other hand, Cosatu proposes that expropriation should be used, should it be in the national interest, to nationalise businesses which are on the brink of collapse in order to prevent workers from being fired. Cosatu's proposals destroy the ground principles of a free-market economy and will destroy South Africa", Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), Parliamentary spokesperson on Agriculture and Land Affairs for the Freedom Front Plus said.

"The proposed bill has far-reaching implications for all owners of movable and immovable property. South Africans should realise that this Bill is not only about land and agricultural land, but also about possessions and businesses. If this Bill is approved by Parliament, the Minister of Public Works can subjectively decide what is in the public's interest and what is not. Even charitable organisations, which are managed as non-profit organisations, can have its possessions be expropriated if the Minister finds it to be in the public's interest. This Bill gives the same powers to the government as those powers which Mugabe has to expropriate according to his own liking", Mr. Groenewald said

Statement issued by FF+ June 18 2008

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