Helen Zille voices concerns over the Expropriation Act, calling it a threat to property rights and economic stability, and vows to challenge the law in court.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Helen Zille has thrown her weight behind the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) legal challenge against the recently enacted Expropriation Act, arguing that the legislation poses a severe threat to property rights and economic stability.
In an exclusive interview with Newzroom Afrika, Zille reiterated the DA’s stance that the law could pave the way for state-sanctioned land grabs without fair compensation.
This move follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the controversial Expropriation Act into law, sparking widespread debate.
The legislation permits land expropriation without compensation under specific circumstances, a policy long championed by the African National Congress (ANC) to address historical land dispossession.
However, the DA has condemned the Act, warning that it could undermine investor confidence, weaken property rights, and contribute to economic decline.
Zille stressed that the party is prepared to fight the Act in court, raising concerns that it could be used as a political tool to centralise power.
“This is not just about land; this is about the erosion of individual rights and the expansion of state control,” she said.
A key issue with the Act, according to the DA, is the ambiguity surrounding the definition of “nil compensation” and the conditions under which the government can seize property without payment.
The party argues that this lack of clarity opens the door to potential abuse, leaving property owners vulnerable to arbitrary expropriation.
Zille also highlighted the economic risks of the law, warning that its implementation could have devastating consequences for South Africa’s struggling economy.
“We’ve seen this play out in other countries where property rights were undermined, and the results have been devastating,” she said.
“This is why we will challenge this law to protect the future of all South Africans.”
Zille also expressed her concerns about unchecked expropriation powers, stating: “Our position is that any country with a successful and growing economy is based on core principles constitutionalism, the rule of law, and a market-based economy that secures property ownership as a right.
Any country that violates those principles slides into decline and impoverishes its people.”
She clarified that the DA does not oppose restitution and land reform but emphasised that the Expropriation Act is not designed for these purposes.
“That does not mean we oppose restitution and land reform. We fully support the existing restitution and land reform laws. However, the Expropriation Act is not meant to deal with those issues.
"It is meant to address the state's need for land for infrastructure bridges, roads, rail, dams. That’s why it falls under the Minister of Infrastructure, not the Minister responsible for land reform.”
Zille further warned about the dangers of unchecked expropriation, drawing a parallel to the apartheid government's use of similar powers.
“The apartheid government had similar powers, allowing it to forcibly remove communities, like those in District Six, with minimal compensation.
"That history should serve as a lesson. South Africa cannot afford to repeat mistakes that led to widespread suffering and economic instability.”
The DA’s legal challenge is expected to be a high stakes battle with significant implications for property ownership, economic growth, and governance in South Africa.
The party has called on civil society and the business sector to rally against the Act, urging them to recognise the potential dangers it poses.
As the case heads to court, the DA remains firm in its commitment to fight for property rights and prevent what it calls “the unconstitutional seizure of land".
Zille reaffirmed that the party will not back down, stating, “We will do everything in our power to stop this reckless legislation from taking South Africa down a dangerous path.”
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