Nkwinti’s populist statements highly irresponsible
15 February 2017
Minister Nkwinti who has been implicated in a corrupt land deal, has chosen to deflect the attention on him by making a highly irresponsible statement in Parliament yesterday. The taking of land without compensation has never been on the table from the side of government, as this is contrary to the protection afforded to property by the Constitution. The protection offered by the Constitution extends to all people within the Republic and this protection will be vital for new land owners and entrants to the agricultural sector to obtain finance and investment. Government has given assurances to investors and the sector on many occasions that the taking of land without compensation will not be considered.
Both the Constitution and the Restitution of Land Rights Act provide for just and equitable compensation. The questions need to be posed:
- Why the inflammatory and potentially damaging statements now?
- Why refer to highly disputable statistics on land ownership and transfers?