AGRICULTURE
Land bill shuts out foreign owners
There are indications an ownership cap of 12,000ha may be imposed on foreign persons, says law firm
The Regulation of Agricultural Land Holdings Bill will have far-reaching consequences for owners of agricultural land and, in particular, foreign nationals, law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has said. The bill was recently released for public comment, amid raging debate on land reform and expropriation without compensation. William Midgley, a director in corporate and commercial practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, said the bill made provision for the establishment of a land commission to be appointed by the rural development and land reform minister. The commission will establish a register of public and private agricultural land ownership. "Every owner of a private agricultural land holding must lodge a notification of ownership with the commission in the prescribed form within 12 months of the commencement of the act, if enacted in its present form. The notification is to include the race, gender and nationality of the owner, and the size and use of the agricultural holding," said Mid...
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