DA votes to reject the Section 25 Amendment Bill in the Ad-Hoc Committee

3 September 2021

Today, the DA members represented on the Section 25 Ad-Hoc Committee voted in unison to reject the ANC’s motion to adopt the draft 18th Constitution Amendment Bill before it is sent to the National Assembly. 

Since its formation on 6 December 2018, the Ad-Hoc Committee was just a political theatre for warring ANC factions and the radical fantasies of the EFF. In their hurried attempt to pursue expropriation of land without compensation and nationalisation of land, the two parties exposed their disdain for the Constitution and inalienable property rights of all South Africans.  

If anything, the vote in committee today was a culmination of 3 wasted years in which Parliament was made to process a Bill where alarms have been raised about its grave impact on the economy, the rule of law and food security. The ANC knew about these dangers hence their steadfast refusal to allow for an Economic Impact Assessment to be conducted. 

 Sending the Bill to the National Assembly is now a mere formality because the ANC will not have the two thirds majority, required by the Constitution, to ensure that it is passed. Its erstwhile allies, the EFF, have long since abandoned ship having missed the last 4 sessions of the Section 25 Ad-Hoc Committee. 

The DA stands ready to give the final knockout punch to these disastrous piece of legislation.

We have long argued against the need to amend Section 25 of the Constitution, in its current form, already has enough provisions to enable a just and equitable land reform process.

What we would not accept was a frivolous attempt by the ANC/EFF coalition to take a sledgehammer and tear down the foundations of our constitution. It will be a good day for South Africa that, after the madness of the past three years, principle wins over the unrealistic agenda of a misguided coalition.

Issued by Annelie Lotriet, Chairperson of the DA Parliamentary Caucus, 3 September 2021