In line with its firm stance against land expropriation without compensation, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging all South Africans to submit comments against the Expropriation Bill by March 6.

The DA continues to stride forward in its opposition to the Bill seeking to thwart efforts made by the African National Congress (ANC) to pass the Bill through the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

DA MP and NCOP Public Works and Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Brauteseth said the Bill should ideally replace South Africa’s “outdated expropriation framework dating back to 1975”.

But the DA believes the ANC intends to use the Bill as an electioneering tool ahead of next year’s election.

Furthermore, the DA said it was alarmed by clause 12(3) of the Bill “which provides for circumstances where it may be just and equitable for nil compensation to be paid when land is in the public interest”. The DA also asserts that expropriation should be limited solely to immovable property.

In proposing critical amendments that do away with provisions advocating for zero compensation affecting private property, the DA says it will continue to remain steadfast in its fight against the Expropriation Bill.

Comments can be made to expropriationcomments@parliament.gov.za