By Akani Nkuna
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that government is expediting measures to fast-track land reform in line with the Constitution, while emphasising that any amendments to Section 25 must be approved by Parliament.
He said the process must also be guided by consensus among members of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to ensure that the acceleration of land reform proceeds within an agreed framework.
Mashatile was responding to oral questions in Parliament on Tuesday.
“Land is being expropriated, and where appropriate, we do not have to pay, particularly because it is for public good. Our only challenge is that we need to move faster, and I am happy to report that we have begun to see much faster movement. We are pushing harder to expropriate land, guided by what Parliament has decided,” Mashatile told MPs.
“We need to operate within that framework; we cannot deviate unless it is changed by Parliament. Our people need land, and we are going to provide them with land — that much we are committed to, and we will not deviate from that.”
He further highlighted government’s efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, alleviate poverty, and reduce the cost of living while building a capable developmental state.
He said part of the motivation for fast-tracking land reform is to reverse the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, ensuring that communities become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“As government, we remain focused on strengthening implementation, accelerating redistribution, securing tenure, and ensuring that land already restored to communities becomes productive and contributes to inclusive economic growth,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile acknowledged that the government had to adopt a more cautious, development-oriented approach compared to the ANC’s policy stance on expropriation of land without compensation.
Conceding that progress has been uneven, he noted that several areas across the country have already seen land reallocated for farming, development, and residential purposes.
The deputy president said government had strengthened the role of Communal Property Associations (CPAs) following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the CPA Amendment Bill into law in September last year.
The legislation ensures that land under CPA control is owned by members of the association.
“Government has placed emphasis on ensuring that every CPA becomes a sustainable, transparent, and inclusive vehicle for community ownership, thereby fulfilling the constitutional goal of equitable access to land for South Africans,” Mashatile said.
He added that government is providing practical support for communities through training programmes, governance audits, and compliance assistance for CPA committees.
In addition, technical advice is being provided through transactional advisors to help with business planning and management systems, while mediation services via the Land Rights Management Facility are assisting in resolving disputes and reducing costly litigation.
“Youth and women participation programmes to renew leadership within CPAs are also being implemented. These measures form part of a coordinated approach under the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform and Agriculture,” Mashatile added.
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