Parliament passes ‘Expropriation Bill’
GAUTENG – Lawmakers from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress voted in favor of newly drafted legislation that would allow the government to seize land without compensation in the national interest.
The National Assembly has approved the Expropriation Bill as amended by the National Council of Provinces, by 205 votes to 108. Although not yet signed into law, the bill would allow for, in certain instances, ‘nil compensation.’
The Expropriation Bill, the third iteration of this legislation since 2008, allows expropriation for public purpose in the public interest and allows for “nil compensation” in a handful of categories, including land held for speculation, abandoned land and state land.