DA Challenges South Africa Expropriation Act

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the governing coalition, has launched a legal challenge against the country’s Expropriation Act, deepening divisions within the coalition ahead of November’s municipal elections.

The law, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025, permits the state to acquire land in the public interest and, under specific circumstances, without compensating property owners. Although no land has been expropriated under the legislation, it has remained politically and legally contested.

The DA argues that the Act gives the government excessively broad powers that could undermine property rights, discourage investment and create uncertainty for landowners. The party’s application will be heard alongside similar legal challenges brought by two Afrikaner advocacy groups, AfriForum and Solidarity, which are also seeking to have the legislation declared unconstitutional.

The governing African National Congress (ANC) has defended the Expropriation Act as an essential tool for addressing historical land inequality rooted in the apartheid era. The party maintains that the law complies with South Africa’s constitution and provides adequate legal safeguards.

The legislation also attracted international attention after US President Donald Trump cited it when suspending aid to South Africa last year, claiming it discriminated against white landowners. Pretoria rejected the allegation, insisting the law is comparable to expropriation legislation in many other countries.

The DA has also threatened to boycott the November municipal elections if the Act is not repealed. DA leader John Steenhuisen has said the party would not participate in the polls while the law remains in force.

SOURCE: Reuters