LAND QUESTION
AYABONGA CAWE: Opponents deploy a straw man argument against expropriation
The "straw man" is a common argumentative technique that deploys an informal fallacy to refute an opposing argument, while in fact refuting an argument that wasn’t actually presented by the opponent. The debate around the expropriation of land without compensation has been replete with example of such scarecrows, often from quarters where one would expect facts, superior logic and reason. This came to light when some interpreted the motion passed in Parliament to imply that the state will expropriate all land without compensation. In this way it fed the safari suit-clad verkramptes and their trope of "white genocide". To allow and to actually do are two different things. The motion paves the way for the state to have the option of expropriating land without compensation to fast-track land reform — with the specific proviso that this should not affect food security and the economy. It is safe to assume that this implies (to the chagrin of many radicals) that it is unused and/or sub-o...
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