The Democratic Alliance (DA) has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for commending Zimbabwe’s land reform programme during his visit to Harare last week.
Ramaphosa visited Zimbabwe at the invitation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and attended the annual Zimbabwe Agricultural Show as guest of honour.
Ramaphosa Highlights Agricultural Revival
Speaking at the event, he praised Zimbabwe for revitalising its agricultural sector through policy reforms, investment in irrigation, mechanisation, and support for both large- and small-scale farmers.
“On independence in 1980, the new democratic government of Zimbabwe had to dismantle colonial-era patterns of land ownership,” Ramaphosa said.
“Most commercially productive land and large-scale farms were owned by whites, while the black majority was confined to communal lands.
It was essential for historical redress, food security, development, and economic growth that the government enabled black Zimbabweans to enter productive agriculture, including support to small-scale farmers.”
DA Condemns Praise
Reacting to Ramaphosa’s remarks, DA national spokesperson and MP Willie Aucamp said the president “wrongfully praised” a programme that devastated Zimbabwe’s economy.
“The DA condemns and rejects this praise by Ramaphosa for a process which left Zimbabwe in tatters, destroyed its economy and foreign relations, and created famine for its people,” Aucamp said.
He said Zimbabwe faced crippling financial reparations to former farmers and landowners because the government did not legally transfer the land.
DA Raise Concerns Over South Africa’s Land Policy
Aucamp also accused Ramaphosa of using Zimbabwe’s experience to support the ANC’s land expropriation agenda under the 2025 Expropriation Act.
“While acknowledging the need for land reform in South Africa, it must remain within the Constitution and rule of law. Expropriation Without Compensation does not meet this standard,” he said.
He emphasised that the Government of National Unity does not endorse Zimbabwe’s “land confiscation” model.
Is Ramaphosa endorsing a failed Zimbabwe model to justify South Africa’s land expropriation plans?
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