South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), the country’s second-largest political party and a key member of the governing coalition, has filed a legal challenge against the Expropriation Act. The law permits the government to seize land without compensation in certain cases, a measure aimed at addressing the enduring inequalities from apartheid.
Signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025, the legislation has sparked significant controversy both domestically and internationally. US President Donald Trump notably referenced this law when he decided to cut aid to South Africa last year.
Coalition Strains and Political Context
The DA’s challenge adds strain to its coalition with the ruling African National Congress (ANC), as South Africa prepares for municipal elections in November. The ANC views the law as a critical step toward economic transformation and correcting historical racial disparities in land ownership, where a white minority still controls the majority of farmland.
Despite the tension, analysts suggest the legal battle may be a strategic contest rather than a coalition-breaking conflict. The DA argues that the law’s broad powers could deter investment and harm economic stability.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
- The DA’s lawsuit will be heard alongside two other challenges brought by groups representing Afrikaners, who claim discrimination—a charge strongly denied by the South African government.
- To date, no land seizures under the new law have occurred.
- The government maintains that the Expropriation Act aligns with similar legislation worldwide and rejects external criticism, including that from the United States.
Since the 2024 election, the ANC and DA have maintained a fragile coalition after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since apartheid ended in 1994.
