Efforts to boost land redistribution

By Lelethu Mquqo
26 August 2011

Cosatu supports the need to change the Constitution to boost land redistribution, but the union federation is opposed to expropriation without compensation.

Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini says the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle has not worked, making an amendment to the Constitution to address the property clause necessary.

The ANC Youth League wants land to be expropriated without compensation.

The Constitutional Court ruled yesterday that compensation does not necessarily have to be finalised before land can be expropriated.

It said this would put undue pressure on the state.

But the Court stressed that compensation had to be paid as soon as was reasonably possible after expropriation.

Eviction following expropriation cannot take place without agreement between the parties.

If there is no agreement, this must be reached under court supervision.