Proposed new land reform policy in South Africa, what do you think?

Question

Look at this link.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2083108,00.html

Is this not the same as Zimbabwe or worse?
Is there not a potential for abuse here?

Surely this will greatly effect the speed at which property can be bought and sold in South Africa, which in turn will effect the market value.
What do you think?

This is scary, the department of home affairs has admitted that they can´t even process/keep up to date with the existing legislation:
"Thomas admitted there was a lack of capacity in the department of land affairs, which prevented it from achieving its land reform mandate. "

What makes them think they will be efficient on a legislation like this, which is basically all encompassing?!

When has the government ever been quick in doing anything, with the exception of skimming off the top.

And Alf has a point too. The easiest way to change something is from the inside.
Glenn Thomas and his self-serving likes (I´m not referring to only the whites here) are selling themselves, but as Alf says, will guys like Thomas get a pat on the back when they have sold out their own culture and find themselves the wrong colour in another African basket case.

Answer 1

Yet another impediment on freedom of choice (who to sell to) and free market and a move toward communism. Expect the land grab to go into full-force, Mugabeistic style after 2010 with other accompanying policing of basic freedoms for all, if the ANC-monster isn't stopped in the 2009 elections.

It's all so obvious.

Answer 2

Initially I thought give the Government first option, no problem with that. Hope they don't take to long to decide and it does not really impact the property market all that much. I might actual not need to go and find a buyer.

Then I read that in the case of price disputes the normal procedures would be followed or as per court hearing. Problem. So they are not willing to pay the asked price or even market related? If I want to sell am I not allowed to do so at market related value, what if I can find a buyer that is willing to pay my asking price.

So they are intending to manipulate the sale of property, not all people would be able to buy property ( the property you are interested in have first to be offered to the government).
By manipulating the price (there goes the concept of supply and demand) and who will be able to buy does this not imply more assets under government ownership no private held land, Communism???

Answer 3

I think they have no way of actually enforcing this policy across the entire property market. It will only be used to make sure property they want can easily be expropriated from the legal owner.

I can see this eventually working as a band of incompetents that will deal with this on a per transaction basis, effectively putting the processing of property sales to a halt while they decide whether the property is useful to their Communist agenda. And they'll get some open sourced programmer to build a database that runs on their Ubuntu Linux system that will raise a flag to their lawyers whenever a property targeted beforehand goes up for sale so they can immediately start legal proceedings to remove the burden of ownership from the rightful owner.

Answer 4

It is just another way of implementing Mugabe's land grab. The worrying thing is the deluded White Liberals in South Africa who are coming up with these plans. Do they think that when the day of reckoning arrives the ANC will pat them on the back and they will live happily ever after. They should have a look North - maybe at Amin.

Answer 5

DEFINITE potential for abuse here, especially if most land reform projects or programs that have been exploited is anything to go by! I also agree with regards to this plan affecting the market for property price- wise.
Again, an initially fair and democratic idea with the potential to go pear- shaped if not managed fairly and correctly, let's see how this one works in about a year, shall we?

Answer 6

It will start with land and then swiftly move to homes as the government can't provide them quickly enough for the homeless.

UA has the info.

Answer 7

so say i want to sell my land and the government aren't prepared to pay me what i want for my land they will settle this in court?
come on so once again the land owners are being scr**d out of their money! market prices will drop drastically and your land will be worth nothing.
in my opinion worst than Zim, much worst

Answer 8

There's nothing to 'think', my friend. The result of this theft has played itself out to its inevitable conclusion in your neighbor to the North.
That same mass famine is headed your way. Sorry.

Answer 9

Land reform ...yea right destroy the food basket of
country....Hello Zim....Hello Bob!!!