Hlophe: MK will act within the law for changes to Constitution that pave way for expropriation without compensation

CAPE TOWN - New MK parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, said that his party would act within the law to lobby for changes to the Constitution that pave the way for expropriation without compensation.

An attempt in 2021 to pass an amendment to this clause failed to get the required two-thirds majority necessary after a more than two-year-long public participation process delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taking up leadership in Parliament on Tuesday, Hlophe said his party was unapologetic about fighting for land and transforming the law.

"When you say you want clause 25 of the Constitution to be changed so that it can make provision for expropriation of land without compensation, it doesn’t mean you are going to start looting. But that’s what we will be canvassing for. We will canvass in a civilised manner to have the law changed. What is wrong with that?"

The former judge now turned politician, Hlophe said that from within his new political home, the MK Party would use its 58 seats not only to lobby for land reform but other key sectors of the economy such as agriculture and mining.

"We intend acting within the law and in the National Assembly, we will act within the rules and practices here in the National Assembly. We are not hooligans. We are going to act within the law and fight for our cause within the law."