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Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has broken its silence on the much contested matter of the implementation of the Expropriation Act that made international headlines, and has thrown its weight behind it.
BUSA says the Act was a carefully thought out one, as President Cyril Ramaphosa consulted widely and carefully and they were part of the consultation process in parliament. BUSA gave business an assurance that there is no course for concern over the Act, imperfect as it is.
The CEO of BUSA Mr Khulekani Mathe says concerns that the signing into law of the Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa will open the door to land grabs, are unwarranted. Dismissing the notion, he said President Ramaphosa’s signature came after a thorough consultation process lasting over 12 years.
Mathe says the expropriation Act is not unique to South Africa but is practiced throughout the world, he pointed out that governments across the world have the power to expropriate. Whenever a country’s government requires the property of a private person for public purpose, and the owner refuses to sell, there must be a mechanism to acquire the property without the owner’s will, provided that due process is followed and compensation is paid.
He said there is no need for South Africa to be an exception.
“Like any piece of legislation, the Expropriation Act is not without imperfections and contains ambiguities that have justifiably raised concerns. We urge the business community to remain vigilant in monitoring the implementation of this Act, but as yet, there is no reason for alarm,” assured Khulekani Mathe.
