Parliaments Joint Constitutional Review Committee co-chair, Vincent Smith, has called on South Africans to speak their mind during public hearings focusing on Section 25 of the Constitution.
On Tuesday the Committee will embark on a 6 week drive to engage South Africans on whether Section 25 of the Constitution should be amended to allow for expropriation of land in the public interest without compensation.
Smith has promised that Members of Parliament will only help facilitate the process, and allow members of the public to air their opinions on the matter.
“All members of parliament should go there to facilitate, and allow South Africans to speak their mind, even if you disagree with their views… we’re also asking South Africans to be tolerant enough to allow people to express their views even if you disagree with them.”
Listen to Vincent Smith on public restraint during hearings, below:
Smith says the engagement is about finding out if Parliament can expropriate without compensation within the prescripts of the constitution.
“We are going to ask South Africans, in implementing the land reform program, which includes restitution, redistribution and land tenure, does the constitution in its current form hinder that process. If it does, what needs to change.”
Listen to Vincent Smith clarifying what questions they will be posing to the public, below:
Smith says they are expected to finish the hearings by the first week of August – and are then expected to put together a report, which they will present to Parliament on September 28.
Click HERE for dates and venues of where the hearings will be held.
