Public hearings into land expropriation without compensation will be postponed amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution, which would allow for the expropriation of land without compensation, announced the decision on Monday.
Committee chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga, said taking into consideration the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of a national disaster, it is in the interest of all South Africans to postpone the hearings until further notice.
The announcement included a prohibition of non-essential gatherings of 100 people or more.
“Up to now, we have seen hundreds of people attending each session at the public hearings. It is clear the need for land is urgent and huge crowds attend.
“In light of this, we are mindful not to expose more South Africans to COVID-19,” Motshekga said.
The committee was due to hold public hearings at Parliament from Tuesday.
The committee has already held hearings in the Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Dr Motshekga said the committee will keep the public informed as to when the public hearings will resume. – SAnews.gov.za
