Parliament must reject the Expropriation Bill in its current form to prevent catastrophic consequences for the agricultural sector and economy
20 September 2022
Today, the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure adopted a report (including minority and majority views) on the Expropriation Bill which will now proceed, along with the Bill, to the National Assembly for further deliberations. The Bill in its current form will have negative consequences for the economy at large should it proceed to be promulgated by the President.
What is especially concerning about the Bill is its negative impact on our shared national commitment to build a more inclusive agricultural sector. If this Bill is passed in its current form, its weakening of the protections afforded to private property could see an exodus of capital from the agricultural sector and the broader economy, with a resulting loss of jobs and investments. This will adversely affect established, emerging and new entrant farmers alike, and undermine our efforts to build an inclusive and prosperous rural economy.
Some of the definitions contained in the Bill are problematic. One example is the definition of expropriation, which is narrow and may have unintended consequences if applied to land reform or other processes. This definitional problem will add to the policy uncertainty that threatens the sector and the broader economy.