Ramaphosa signs Expropriation Bill into law

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Expropriation Bill, which sets out how organs of state may expropriate land in the public interest.

The bill repeals the pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975.

Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the bill comes into law after undergoing a five-year public consultation process and parliamentary deliberation.

"This bill, assented to by President Ramaphosa, outlines how expropriation can be done and on what basis. This law will assist all organs of state - local, provincial and national authorities - to expropriate land in the public interest for varied reasons."
 
He said the bill aligned legislation on expropriation with the Constitution.

"In terms of this law, an expropriating authority may not expropriate property arbitrarily or for a purpose other than a public purpose or in the public interest."