Cape Town - Communities want the government to speed up the process to expropriate land without compensation.
This was the view of the chairperson of the ad hoc committee on land expropriation, Mathole Motshekga, following public hearings in Soshanguve and Westonaria in Gauteng on Saturday.
He said there were warnings against the process, saying it
would have serious implications for the economy.
The committee will today hold further public hearings in Germiston and Port Elizabeth.
Motshekga said the issue of amending the Constitution to allow for the expropriation had been accepted by the public.
“The majority of contributions made during the hearings supported the amendment because it is about redressing the historical injustices of land dispossession of the black majority,” said Motshekga.
He said other members of
the public stated that the
process would lead to economic growth and transformation in
the country.
“The majority of participants re-emphasised the urgent need to amend Section 25 of the Constitution and amend the tool
to fight the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment,” he said.
However, Motshekga said there were those who argued against the expropriation of land.
“Some expressed their opposition to the amendment, arguing that the amendment will have a dire strain on the economy and food security,” he said.
Motshekga said the views of the public would be factored into their work.