Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala criticises Minister Dean Macpherson's refusal to implement the Expropriation Act, calling it a constitutional violation.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers / File
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala has criticised Minister Dean Macpherson for refusing to implement the Expropriation Act, accusing him of undermining both the Constitution and the office of the President.
This follows heightened tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the Act, which were brought into sharp focus during the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
During the debate, Zikalala addressed Macpherson’s recent statement: “There will be no expropriation of private property on my watch.”
In response, Zikalala said: “Such a response is not only unfortunate but also badly in need of self-development. Many ministers may have personal reservations about certain legislation, but upon taking office, they are required to implement the laws of the country.”
In an interview on Newzroom Afrika, Zikalala clarified that his comments were not a personal attack but a critique of Macpherson’s refusal to enforce the Act.
“If you say that an Act, which has been assented to, will not be implemented under your watch, despite being a minister, that is tantamount to undermining the Constitution and the laws of our country,” he said.
Zikalala emphasised that ministers are bound by the Constitution to uphold and implement the country’s laws, regardless of personal or political disagreements. He further argued that Macpherson’s stance was damaging to his department and South Africa’s legal framework.
He also warned that such internal divisions could negatively impact the international community’s perception of South Africa’s governance.
“If a minister publicly criticises his own government, what do you think the international community’s response would be? They will view South Africa as incoherent,” he said.
Zikalala highlighted the risks of internal discord within the government, particularly as the country faces significant domestic challenges.
The Deputy Minister also linked Macpherson’s stance to broader racial tensions, referencing MEC Dumisani Makhaye’s remarks that racism, combined with ignorance, leads to arrogance.
He suggested that Macpherson’s position could be perceived as racist, particularly given the historical context of land dispossession in South Africa and the continued hardships faced by Black South Africans.
Despite these tensions, Zikalala expressed hope for productive dialogue, emphasising the importance of unity in implementing the Expropriation Act. He reaffirmed that the Department of Public Works, as the custodian of the Act, must defend its validity, even as the DA continues its legal challenges.
Addressing the DA’s legal opposition, Zikalala clarified that the Act does not permit arbitrary land confiscation but instead guarantees fair compensation and protects property rights in line with Section 25 of the Constitution.
He urged political leaders to refrain from politicising the issue and to focus on the legal framework and implementation of the Act as part of the country’s transformation agenda.
IOL Politics