DA Criticises Ramaphosa for Praising Zimbabwe Land Reform

JOHANNESBURG — 2 September 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for commending Zimbabwe’s land reform programme during his official visit to Harare last week.

Ramaphosa attended Zimbabwe’s annual Agricultural Show as guest of honour at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s invitation. He praised Zimbabwe’s efforts to revitalise agriculture through policy reforms, irrigation investment, and support for farmers.

“On independence in 1980, the new democratic government of Zimbabwe had to dismantle colonial-era patterns of land ownership,” Ramaphosa said during the event.

“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,” he stated.

DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp condemned Ramaphosa’s remarks, stating the president “wrongfully praised” a programme that allegedly devastated Zimbabwe. (DA statement)

“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. (DA statement)

Aucamp claimed Zimbabwe now faced financial reparations to former owners because land wasn’t legally transferred to new occupants. (DA statement)

The DA further alleged Ramaphosa was using Zimbabwe’s experience to justify the ANC’s land expropriation policies in South Africa. Aucamp emphasised that while land reform is necessary, it must stay within constitutional boundaries: “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.” (DA statement)

The Presidency had not responded to the DA’s criticisms at the time of publication.