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Land bill worries Agri SA
15/03/2008 09:13 - (SA)
Pretoria - The promulgation of the new Expropriation Bill into law by June this year leaves very little time for consultation on its implications, farmers' union Agri SA warned on Friday.
It voiced concern that Cabinet approved the principles contained in the draft policy on expropriation despite serious reservations raised by the union and other organisations.
These include the wide-ranging powers given to the minister of public works, the limitation on the right of the property owner of full access to the courts, the possible watering-down of market-related compensation, as well as the haste with which this Bill will be passed.
Property rights in general, and not only agricultural land, could come under serious threat, and it was clear that legal and market principles could be violated if the approach in the policy document is adopted, the union warned.
It said it would take any legal recourse necessary.
Agri SA said it had not seen the Bill - only the draft policy and the principles as approved by Cabinet are in the public domain.
The Transvaal Agricultural Union said on Thursday the government's amendments to the present Expropriation Act might be in contravention of the Constitution.
The union said it had discussed the matter at its general council meeting in Pretoria on Wednesday.
"It was then realised that those amendments may be in contravention of Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996."
Union president Paul van der Walt said the current process was an intimidation and propaganda exercise.
"It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders to unite regarding this issue."
- SAPA
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