Mashatile says Expropriation Act to be used to fast-track land reform

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile said on Thursday that the Expropriation Act is going to help the government to fast-track land reform and settle outstanding land claims.

- MAYIBONGWE MACHINA

Mashatile said the Expropriation Act will ensure that those property owners, or people who had land taken away from them legally, have access to land.

“This law is going to help us to ensure we put in our first track land reform, but we do it within the parameters of the Constitution and the rule of law,” Mashatile said when speaking at the National Council of Provinces.

ANC MP Maile Dhlaminisa asked if the government had set a time frame for settling all claims. Mashatile said the finalisation of outstanding land claims remained one of the key priorities of the government.

“Over successive years, we have made good progress regarding the set-tlement of land claims and returning the land to those who were previously dispossessed. However, much more still needs to be done,” he said.