For a country desperate for higher rates of investment to ignite sustainable economic growth, the Expropriation Bill, and the headlines that have accompanied its passage through parliament’s consultation processes, could not have been more poorly timed.
Judging by recently reported indicators of global economic activity, this outlook is now being borne out.
Expropriation of property at below market value or with nil compensation looms large for all property owners, investors and savers in South Africa.
Chapter 6 of the National Development Plan (NDP) sets out the parameters for an integrated and inclusive rural economy.
As the Expropriation Bill comes ever closer to being signed into law, the ‘land debate’ has come down to earth, descending from the heights of political theory to the realm of practicality.
Last month, a former Zimbabwean cabinet minister was arrested for illegally selling parcels of state land.
