Parliament, Sunday, 1 March 2020 – The Mpumalanga delegation of the Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution heard different views from the residents of Ermelo, with some residents calling for ownership of land with mining and water rights.
A number of residents requested assistance for the security of tenure rights as some told the delegation of the committee that they were constantly threatened with eviction. The residents of Ermelo used the opportunity created by the hearings to demand for land expropriation and equal distribution of mineral and other natural resources such as water to the people.
There was also a special call for access to land for women. The residents said the transfer of land should apply to all, black and white South Africans alike. They reiterated the call for the redress of the legacy of injustice and discrimination of the past and also called for the acceleration of the land reforms.
Some farmers who participated in the hearings appealed to the delegation to listen attentively to their views that are against the amendment of the Constitution. They said, about 90% of them (farmers) have applied for loans from commercial banks to continue with farming, but the banks do not accept land as collateral largely due to the issue of land expropriation.
They told the delegation that they don’t support the expropriation of land without compensation because they want to ensure that food security is maintained.
The leader of the delegation, Advocate Bongani Bongo clarified the objectives of the Constitutional Review Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation that he said are different. He said the purpose of the current hearings is to hear from the public how the amendment should be worded.
Adv Bongo thanked the participants for their meaningful submissions which he said were well thought and articulated. The committee will continue with the public hearings in KwaZulu-Natal Province from Friday to Sunday this coming week.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE LEADER OF THE DELEGATION, ADV BONGANI BONGO.
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