AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SECTION 25 COMMITTED TO MEET DEADLINE

Parliament, Friday, 11 September 2019 – The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution assured the public that it is committed to meeting the deadline to finalise its work. The committee is expected to complete its work by 31 March 2020.

Committee Chairperson Dr Mathole Motshekga said today that the committee will meet on Friday next week to finalised arrangements for a planned workshop with various experts on the land question and amending the Constitution accordingly. “We want to assure the public that everything is on track to meet the deadline. The committee takes it work very seriously and will put in all the hours necessary to ensure the work is done thoroughly.”

Dr Motshekga said the committee will identify the best experts in South Africa on the process the committee will follow, and the implications of the process in order to amend the Constitution to make it possible for the expropriation of land without compensation. The committee is also considering inviting experts from other African countries to share their experience. On Friday the committee also plans to discuss how to continue with its work going forward.

The committee previously resolved to take into consideration all official reports on this matter, including receiving a briefing on the summary of the reports of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Amendment of Section 25 in the previous Parliament, the High Level Panel and the Presidential Advisory Panel.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO INITIATE AND INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AMENDING SECTION 25, DR MATHOLE MOTSHEKGA