DA to announce legal action against controversial Expropriation Act amid warnings of economic impact.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen will outline legal steps on Saturday to challenge South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, which the party claims is unconstitutional and threatens property rights.
The DA obtained legal opinion confirming the Act’s unconstitutionality, according to spokesperson Willie Aucamp. “We will fight this dangerous legislation by every possible means, including in the courts,” he said.
The law sets procedures for state organs to expropriate land in the public interest, sparking division within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson stated “there will be no expropriation without compensation” under his watch, contradicting his deputy Sihle Zikalala who praised the law as “ground-breaking.”
Freedom Front Plus plans to challenge the Act in the Constitutional Court, with leader Pieter Groenewald claiming President Ramaphosa failed to consult the GNU before signing.
The announcement comes as opposition parties argue the law undermines property rights protected by Section 25 of the Constitution. Steenhuisen will also address concerns about the National Health Insurance Act during Saturday’s media conference in Cape Town.
Civil society group AfriForum urged Minister Macpherson to refuse co-signing the Act, calling it a “critical test” for the GNU’s effectiveness.
