Deputy Minister Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala hits back at Dean Macpherson
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Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala lashed out at the department’s Minister, Dean Macpherson, for the misinformation about land grabs. Zikalala stated that when Ministers take an oath of office, they commit to obeying and upholding the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic “conscientiously.”
Zikalala said during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate on Tuesday that Macpherson's response to the Expropriation Act introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, allowing unused land to be expropriated for public interest, was misguided.
Macpherson publicly said last month that the Act will not be implemented when he is still the Executive Authority.
“There are many Ministers who would not be comfortable with certain Acts, but upon taking office, they must implement them. We are seeing what was perfectly described by the late MEC Dumisani Makhaye some time ago, where he said when racism is combined with ignorance, it produces arrogance. It is this type of arrogance that invites foreign countries to attack our country and government based on disinformation peddled not just by right-wing organisations like Afriforum or Solidarity but by a Minister who is expected to obey and uphold the Constitution.
Zikalala argued that expropriation for public good is not implemented in South Africa alone, adding that research on the subject revealed that governments' ability to expropriate land for public good was not peculiar to South Africa.
“In the USA, they use “Eminent Domain” for land to be acquired or expropriated by the state. In India and Singapore, it is called “Land Acquisition.” In New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK, it is called “Compulsory Purchase.” In Canada, Russia, Brazil, and most of Western Europe, these powers are called “Expropriation.”
“The main issue is that the African National Congress (ANC) cares more than anyone in this House. We want to achieve land reform while ensuring investor confidence to grow our economy and create jobs for our people.”
Zikalala stated that his party, the ANC, is confident that the Act will pass Constitutional muster.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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