Letter: Land expropriation will destroy SA - The Star

Expropriation without compensation (EWC) represents another tragic mistake for which South Africa will pay a heavy price.

We have noted that the ad hoc committee decided to initiate and introduce legislation amending section 25 of the Constitution and has adopted its draft programme, and hopes to conduct outstanding public hearings.

This, despite all the evidence that EWC will destroy the prospects for increased and sustained investment without which the growth and job creation so vital now to South Africa's postCovid19 recovery are not going to happen.

The "debate" around EWC has already generated both great uncertainty and concern for business people. Something in the region of 2.3 million jobs could be lost, roughly around the job loss caused by the Covid19 pandemic.

We caution that those who might dismiss this as mere posturing should remember that it is no small matter to tamper with the Bill of Rights. To do this is to degrade the protections South Africa's people have. This is all the more the case in view of the declared intention of the ANC to ensure that the Constitution is changed to place expropriation decisions within the purview of the executive, rather than the courts.

All of this sets a terrible precedent for the future.

Hermann Pretorius, deputy head of policy research, Institute of Race Relations