Over R200 Million Paid for Land Claims as Government Pushes Back on Expropriation Misinformation

The South African government has spent over R217 million to settle 287 land claims since the start of the 2024/2025 financial year, as debates over the Expropriation Act continue to heat up.

The data was revealed in a parliamentary reply to questions posed to the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Affairs, showing that land restitution remains active and largely follows due legal process — contrary to claims of arbitrary land seizures.

According to Makashule Gana, chief whip for Rise Mzansi, most of the land claimed was privately owned, with the vast majority of claims submitted by black South Africans. Of the land settled, 14 farms were still productive at the time of the agreement.

Government Land Budget and Strategy

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has earmarked R466 million this year to redistribute 46,767 hectares of land. This is being done through proactive acquisition of strategically located land and to support secure tenure rights.

Gana argued that this reinforces the constitutional, legal process underpinning land reform in South Africa — pushing back against fear-mongering narratives circulating internationally.

“This information once again pours water over the misinformation and disinformation around the Expropriation Act,” Gana told The Citizen.

Rise Mzansi Slams False Claims About Land Grabs

Gana sharply criticized certain Afrikaner groups for spreading “lies” about supposed land grabs by government, particularly those applying for asylum in the United States.

“They falsely claimed that the government has in the past and will arbitrarily and illegally start a process of grabbing land, particularly farming property. Not a single iota of proof has been produced to support this false claim,” he said.

This week, a group of Afrikaners arrived in Washington, citing alleged persecution — claims Gana says are baseless and dangerous.

What the Expropriation Act Really Says

While Rise Mzansi supports the use of the Expropriation Act, Gana emphasized that it should be implemented responsibly and within the constitutional framework.

In fact, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, recently confirmed that no land has been expropriated between 2014 and 2024 under the Act, despite the legal authority being in place.

Additionally, 16,696 claimants opted to take monetary compensation instead of land, indicating complex factors at play in South Africa’s land restitution landscape.

“This in itself requires further inquiry around the reasons so we can better understand the psychology around and processing of land claims,” Gana said.

‘Diplomatic Risk from Misinformation’

Gana also warned that persistent misinformation campaigns have the potential to strain international relations, particularly with countries like the United States.

“Rise Mzansi hopes that with accurate information on expropriation and land reform in the public domain, it will aid with positively resetting relations between Pretoria and Washington.”

Trump’s Role in the Debate

Gana took a swipe at former US President Donald Trump, saying he has ignored South African authorities and listens to the wrong voices.

“It is deliberate from certain sections of society that have never supported our transition to democracy,” he said.

Despite the noise surrounding land expropriation in South Africa, the facts suggest a legal and measured approach is being followed. The R217 million already paid out in claims this year shows that land reform is progressing, even as debates around the Expropriation Act remain deeply politicized.

{Source: The Citizen}

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