President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act in January 2025, allowing the government to seize private property for public use with a focus on fair compensation. The law specifies conditions under which land may be taken without compensation, mainly focusing on abandoned or unused properties. The government has yet to enforce this provision. The law has sparked international controversy, especially following a meeting between Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump, and is facing legal challenges from the Democratic Alliance and other opposition parties concerned about its implications for property rights.
"Every country has legislation to ensure a state can, with fair compensation, build public infrastructure, but this Act goes too far outside these accepted international norms."
"The law allows land, housing or infrastructure to be seized from any private owner regardless of skin color for public purposes, including infrastructure projects and environmental conservation."
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