JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African lawmakers have voted to speed up land reform by establishing a committee that will propose constitutional changes to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
The ruling African National Congress has been under pressure to address the lingering inequities of the racist system of apartheid that ended 25 years ago. President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to assure investors that land reform will unfold “in an orderly manner” and won’t include illegal seizures.
The long-awaited committee is expected to propose amendments by March, after which lawmakers will vote on them. The changes are expected to be approved as the ANC has a majority of parliament seats and the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters want land returned to black citizens.
The ANC says the changes are needed to address “historic wrongs.”