Cosatu

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Land expropriation: Cosatu says no politician should be allowed to benefit

This is the sentiment held by Bheki Ntshalintshali, the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (COSATU) General Secretary.

Cosatu

Photo via @COSATU Today Twitter

Land expropriation without compensation should only benefit poor and dispossessed South Africans, not politicians.

This is the sentiment held by Bheki Ntshalintshali, the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (COSATU) General Secretary. Speaking to Sowetan Live, the trade unionist urged politicians to be transparent and fair in their quest for land reform.

Speaking at Cosatu’s 13th national congress, which is currently underway in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, Ntshalintshali confirmed that the federation would be debating the contentious issue of land expropriation without compensation.

Cosatu: Politicians want the land for themselves

Ntshalintshali maintained that accelerated land reform must be to the benefit farm workers and shack dwellers, especially those who were dispossessed of their land under the apartheid regime, saying:

“Politicians act as if they are fighting for the poor while they want the land for themselves. No politician should be allowed to benefit from expropriation without compensation.

Farmworkers must be given secured titles for their plots, including areas to farm, livestock grazing and for burial purposes. Expropriation without compensation can be used to implement this protection.”

Ntshalintshali added that farmworkers, who have been the target of exploitation and indignities, should be first in the queue for land, saying:

“Those who work and stay on farms are subject to abuse and evictions by farmers and receive little or no support from the state. They are called derogatory words such as occupiers.”

The issue of communal land was also addressed. In reference to the hotly debated Ingonyama Trust, held by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, Ntshalintshali said:

“While communal ownership of land must be promoted, it must not be used to enrich kings or queens and to entrench patriarchy.”

ANC open to working together with Cosatu on land reform

Cosatu’s wade into the land debate comes at a time when the African National Congress (ANC) is in the process of conducting a ‘trial’ period of expropriation. Party executives have yet to outline the exact details regarding the practical mechanism involved in expropriation.

But, Enoch Godongwana, ANC head of the national executive committee subcommittee on economic transformation, has confirmed that the party is open to working in conjunction with Cosatu in identifying those most deserving of expropriated land.