80 000 says “STOP the Expropriation Bill

Free State Agriculture (FSA) today handed to Parliament its official submission on the Expropriation Bill. The document is supported by more than 80 000 individuals across the country who rejects the Expropriation Bill as tabled in its current form.

“Although Parliament cannot receive hard copy submissions, we have arranged with members in the Public Works and Infrastructure committee to receive our official submission. The submission was received by a member of the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure Committee of Parliament, Madeleine Hickling, as the secretary and chairperson of the committee were unable to receive the submission in person. The same is emailed to the Secretary of Committee. The Bill seeks to create a framework where expropriation of assets with nil compensation may be possible. This bill allows for any property (not just land) to be seized by the state and must, in its current form, be stopped” says Francois Wilken, President of FSA.

FSA considers the following as unacceptable aspects of the Bill and which risk to the civil liberties of all South Africans:

1. De-facto state control of all property (Clause: 3)
2. Municipalities will have the right to apply and regulate this law (Clause: 1)
3. Expropriation in “public interest” is too broadly defined and as such implies that any reason can be used for expropriation. (Clause: 1)

FSA in their submission handed over to parliament today the focus is on only four main concerns:

1. The Intentions of the Bill solely for Land Reform.
2. The Intended Compensation as outlined in the Bill, opening the gap for Nil Compensation.
3. The fact that the Bill focuses on all property, not just agricultural land, and
4. The Impact of the Expropriation Bill on South Africa as a whole.

If this legislation is promulgated with South Africa’s current debt status, expounded by COVID, it will lead to instant further credit down grades, capital flight and a collapse of our economy leading to worse levels of poverty.

The FSA submission submitted is within our specific mandate from our 3 400 commercial farmer members and has the broader support from almost 80 000 South Africans who signed our online petition.

Anyone wishing to oppose the Expropriation Amendment Act can record their input on Free State Agriculture’s website (https://vrystaatlandbou.co.za/stop-expropriation/ ). The input will be handed over to parliament and the number of people in support of Free State Agriculture will form part of our argument against Expropriation without compensation during oral submissions in parliament later this year and during the provincial public hearings.