Smith: We underestimated the interest in land hearings
Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee that is looking into land expropriation without compensation, is heading to Mpumalanga after completing its hearings in Limpopo.
The Committee is looking into the possible amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
Committee chairperson, Vincent Smith, says two things stood out from the Limpopo leg of hearing.
"We underestimated the interest the citizens would show. We were planing on 350 [people] per event, we had over 300% per event - 800 and 900 people attending the event," says Smith.
Smith says they were impressed by the quality of debate from camps supporting the proposal as well as communities against the amendment.
"They did not just say we do not, or we do, they gave arguments why it should or it shouldn't."
Smith adds the negative side is that the halls were far too small for the hearings.
"And occasionally the tensions and emotions ran high, but you would expect such with this type of topic."
Choas erupted in Limpopo when Congress of the People (COPE) leader Mosiuoa Lekota and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema attended the hearing in Marble Hall, sending emotions flaring.
Lekota criticised the land expropriation public hearings process in Limpopo‚ saying it is being “stage-managed” by the EFF (EFF).
Smith says political parties are welcomed at the hearing, the only ones who are not allowed to comment are members of the Committee.
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