CAPE TOWN, Monday 3 August 2026 — The Western Cape High Court began hearing constitutional challenges to South Africa’s Expropriation Act brought by the Democratic Alliance and several civil society organisations.
The DA joined AfriForum, the Vaderland Foundation and the Institute of Race Relations in challenging provisions of the legislation. The applicants raised arguments concerning property rights, compensation procedures and the parliamentary process through which the law was adopted.
The Act, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025, allows compensation for expropriation to be determined according to constitutional standards of what is just and equitable, including nil compensation in specified circumstances.
Ramaphosa and other respondents were expected to defend the legislation during the hearing. Judgment was not immediately expected.
