CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 19: AfriForum deputy CEO Ernst Roets during a media briefing announcing the organization’s response to the land expropriation bill compensation on March 19, 2018 in Centurion, South Africa. AfriForum says it will be pressing ahead with an international campaign to create awareness around government’s move to expropriate land without compensation. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Deaan Vivier)
First hearing on land expropriation full of tension, threats of violence
Threats of violence all around.
CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 19: AfriForum deputy CEO Ernst Roets during a media briefing announcing the organization’s response to the land expropriation bill compensation on March 19, 2018 in Centurion, South Africa. AfriForum says it will be pressing ahead with an international campaign to create awareness around government’s move to expropriate land without compensation. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Deaan Vivier)
On Tuesday, Parliament held its first public hearing on land expropriation without compensation. With the Northern Cape playing host, long queues outside made things even more stressful. Once everyone had a chance to speak, things got even worse.
Land Expropriation without compensation: First Public hearing down
While there were hundreds of South Africans representing various groups or themselves, there were also the usual land “debaters” in attendance. EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu was there while so too was AfriForum Deputy CEO Ernst Roets.
According to Roets, the scheduled land hearings are merely an attempt “to take more land and not give people land”.
While Roets was speaking, he immediately managed to upset thousands of South Africans who were following online. One user quoted him as saying he “is there to represent the Khoi San and coloured people”. Roets shot back on Twitter, explaining that he only said he was representing Afrikaaners.
The Deputy President @FloydShivambu gives direction on AfriForum misleading the people of Springbok. pic.twitter.com/sQ5wLWLLkt
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 26, 2018
AfriForum’s goal at the event seemed to be the deliverance of a petition made up of around 300 000 signatures. Everyone who signed was opposed to land expropriation without compensation.
Roets also implied that violence over land wouldn’t necessarily come from those looking to take it, but rather “the people whose properties are being expropriated to defend themselves.” Government was criticised for “hero-worshipping” some of the “world’s worst economies.”
After over 700 000 written submissions were made to Parliament about land expropriation, these hearings were put in place to discuss reviewing Section 25 of the Constitution. Changes of Section 25 would make it possible for government to expropriate without compensation “in the public interest”.
Other speakers throughout the day did not seem to agree with Roets. While some called for the “diamond land” nack, others promised to fight if the land was not returned.
I am a leader of my people and a land activist. I reject the AfriForum coming here saying they represent my people. This is our land and we shall speak for it. This is our land! #LandExpropriation pic.twitter.com/TACWOQjuKE
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 26, 2018
Unsurprisingly, government also faced criticism from numerous people asking why the spending on land reform has been so misguided. One speaker pointed out that South Africa still does not have a full audit on state-owned land.
The hearings will continue next week in Uppington, Kuruman and Kimberly.
