The UK said land expropriation without compensation could potentially unlock investment in the continent
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed support for land expropriation without compensation.
May addressed a business forum in Cape Town on Tuesday, 28 August 2018. This is her first visit to the country.
The Prime Minister said they would support the controversial policy, provided it is done in a lawful and transparent manner.
“The UK has, for some time now, supported land reform that is legal, transparent and follows a democratic process…it’s an issue I raised with President Ramaphosa when he was in London earlier this year. I will be talking about it with him later”, May said.
“I welcome the comments he has already made about approaching land reform, bearing in mind the economic and social consequences…and that land reform will be no smash and grab”
May added that: “I welcome the comments that President Ramaphosa has already made, bearing in mind the economic and social aspects of it. I think he’s made some comments that it won’t be a smash and grab approach. I think there’s an opportunity to unlock investment”
May’s comments come a week after US President Donald Trump announced plans to have his administration probe farm killings and land expropriation in South Africa. “I have asked Secretary of State (Mike Pompeo) to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers”, he said on Twitter.
Both May and Ramaphosa have reiterated their commitment to tightening relations between SA and the UK. Mining, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructure are some of the key sectors they have identified, to help boost economic growth and development.
Thabo Baloyi
t.baloyi@politicalanalysis.co.za
