Parliament, Sunday, 8 March 2020 – A delegation of the Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution today wrapped up the North West leg of its public hearings on the amendments that will allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.
Committee Chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga, said the hearings in all the three cities in the North West Province were well attended.
The hall was packed with a mixture of people from all races, ages, religions and cultures, and who made meaningful contributions in their oral submissions during the hearings.
Dr Motshekga called on the public to continue attending the hearings in order to make their voices heard in this important legislation that attempts to redress the inequalities that were created by apartheid.
“South Africans – irrespective of race, religion or cultural differences, should not be deterred from attending these public hearings. Each and every voice that makes a contribution will be considered when we deliberate on the matter in Parliament,” said Dr Motshekga.
A packed Madiba Banquet Hall in Potchefstroom saw hundreds of South Africans waiting patiently to have a say on how the Constitution should be amended.
The overwhelming majority of the participants were clear that the land should be expropriated and returned to its rightful owners immediately.
Participants made it clear this amendment is in order to redress historical injustices and to restore the dignity of the previously disadvantaged people and not to be rich as some claimed.
A small number of participants were against the amendments arguing that it would be the end of the rainbow nation and claimed that it would be disastrous for food security and investor confidence.
Dr Motshekga commended the public that attended the three hearings in the North West since Friday. “We note and commend the members of the public who attended, made meaningful contributions and for being tolerant to the different views voiced at the hearings.
“We encourage the public to attend our hearings next week in Gauteng and in the Eastern Cape,” said Dr Motshekga.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF AD HOC COMMITTEE TO INITIATE AND INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AMENDING SECTION 25 OF THE CONSTITUTION, DR MATHOLE MOTSHEKGA
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
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