NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES THE CRUCIAL PROPERTY VALUATION BILL
12 March 2014
Today's passing of the Property Valuation Bill by the National Assembly will go a long way in eradicating the stumbling blocks which have frustrated the pace of land redistribution in the last 20 years. The ‘willing buyer willing seller' approach, which has been the central feature of our land reform programme, has not assisted government in achieving its target of delivering 30% of commercial agricultural land to the original owners. The ‘willing buyer willing seller' approach has been characterised by escalating land prices, which is stands out as a significant contributor to the slow pace of land redistribution since 1994.
The Bill paves way for the establishment of the Office of the Valuer-General, which will provide compulsory valuation service for land identified for land reform by government. The office will also regulate the land valuation process, including setting criteria, monitoring, procedures and ensuring compliance.
The Bill essentially gives effect to the provisions of the Constitution, which provide for the facilitation of land reform and restitution through the valuation of property. The Constitution enjoins the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to foster conditions which enable citizens to gain access to land on an equitable basis.
The Bill will indeed speed up the process of reversing the human and material hardships under which those displaced during colonialism and apartheid are living. The ANC's commitment to give the landless access to land for productive use in order to improve their income and quality of life remains unwavering.
This Bill, together with the recently passed Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill, illustrates the seriousness with which this government's regards land reform and its speedy implementation to restore the dignity of our people and enhance their livelihood.
Statement issued by the ANC Office of the Chief Whip, March 12 2014
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