mm1352000:

 

Fred99: The South African government has begun the process of seizing land from owners in cases where the negotiation for compensation has stalled.

 

Leaving out what I highlighted makes a hell of a difference.  Our government can compulsorily acquire land through the Public Works Act, and disputes over valuation are normal.

 

Sure, true. In that farmer's position I would walk away from negotiations too if I was offered one tenth of what I thought the land was reasonably worth... and I would be very concerned when the constitution was changed to enable expropriation of the land for zero compensation.

 

That's "if" the constitution is changed - under which property rights are protected and expropriation without compensation specifically prohibited.  I expect if that was repealed/amended, then all hell would break loose. There will be a lot of money owed to banks - so the government wouldn't be stealing from farmers - they'd be stealing many billions from banks too, foreign investment would cease, there'd be a massive run on the currency, farm production would cease and people would starve. The farmers' loss would be tragic, but everything a complete disaster - with precedent - nobody wins. Countries commit economic suicide despite persuasive efforts for them not to.

Best I could find as to valuation method used is : value = (current use value + market value) divided by 2 minus historical acquisition benefits and state subsidies. Seems fair in principle - but I guess that's no guarantee that it would always be in practice. One tenth is a hell of a difference - so something's clearly not right - and it could be the reporting of the issue - not even what the allegedly aggrieved farmer is saying.