In an unprecedented land grab, the EFF yesterday entrenched their hold on the municipal owned farm Mooidraai in Metsimaholo in order to establish a new residential area.
Speaking at the event EFF Member of Parliament, Floyd Shivambu, indicated that a new residential area would be developed in five phases.
Yesterday’s launch was phase one of this development and phase two will follow on Monday, after which the other phases will be established. The farm Wonderfontein has been earmarked by the EFF for the next land grab.
The ANC has allowed the EFF to become the de facto government in Metsimaholo without an election. This is contrary to both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Free State Premier Sefora Ntombela’s commitments during the SONA and SOPA respectively that illegal land grabs in the country and the Free State would not be permitted.
While these illegal land grabs are taking place, the National Assembly Constitutional Review Committee is in the process of conducting hearings in the Free State on the amendment of Chapter 25 of the Constitution that, if passed, would allow for expropriation without compensation by government.
The EFF’s unwillingness to wait for an outcome of the parliamentary processes or that of democratic elections for government is a test for the ANC’s authority.
This latest development in Metsimaholo has become an ideological standoff between the EFF and the ANC to determine who the real government is. Ramaphosa and Ntombela cannot afford the nationwide chaos that will erupt if they follow the soft-handed approach of National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise, towards the EFF.
Now is the time for the President and Premier to commit to the rule of law that they have both promised by acting firmly and decisively.
The DA will vigorously oppose both illegal land grabs and the proposed Constitutional amendments, both of which have the potential to deter investment in our country which will eventually destroy our economy and create more unemployment.
Our sub-continent, the Southern African region, cannot afford for the regional hegemon to descend into another Zimbabwe.