Land bill to be reintroduced?

2008-09-17 19:13

Cape Town - The Public Works Department on Wednesday indicated that it might reintroduce the highly contested Expropriation bill in Parliament.

Briefing the media in Cape Town, Public Works director general Manye Moroka said the measure had not been completely withdrawn.

"It is not completely off. There is still room for it to be reintroduced," he said.

Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza and National Assembly public works committee chairperson Thandi Thobias-Pokolo were still discussing the future of the bill.

The legislation, which would have allowed the state to take over property under much easier terms than existing legislation allows, was last month shelved by the committee for constitutional reasons.

Several organisations, including Agri-SA and the Democratic Alliance had criticised the measure, warning it could harm the country's economy.

- SAPA