SOUTH Africa’s parliament has voted in favour of a motion that will begin the process of amending the country’s Constitution to allow for the confiscation of white-owned land without compensation.



The motion was brought by Julius Malema, leader of the radical Marxist opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters, and passed overwhelmingly by 241 votes to 83 against. The only parties who did not support the motion were the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, Cope and the African Christian Democratic Party.

It was amended but supported by the ruling African National Congress and new president Cyril Ramaphosa, who made land expropriation a key pillar of his policy platform after taking over from ousted PM Jacob Zuma earlier this month.



“The time for reconciliation is over. Now is the time for justice,” Mr Malema was quoted by News24 as telling parliament. “We must ensure that we restore the dignity of our people without compensating the criminals who stole our land.”



According to Bloomberg, a 2017 government audit found white people owned 72 per cent of farmland in South Africa.

WATCH: Tears of joy as white Zimbabwean farmer returns to seized land https://t.co/IWf8Tvi7pZ pic.twitter.com/SQl9a34kcc — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 25, 2017

Today we are expropriating land without compensation — Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 27, 2018

Africa for Africans, we did not arrive here! We are from the soil! Whites crossed the ocean to murder and steal! #LandExpropriation pic.twitter.com/ILtLackgoM — 🧢Guluva Ya Kasi🧢🇿🇦 (@PapaAktion) February 27, 2018

Dear black child



Your vote for the EFF was never in vain.

Economic Freedom is coming tomorrow.

salute!!!✊#LandExpropriation — .Independent Soul (@_Paledi) February 27, 2018

You vote against expropriation of land without compensation and expect a black man to keep you in power,never,you can go to hell. If the @MYANC fails to bring a credible candidate they too must forget because we are going to abstain, we are not forced to vote for anyone — Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 27, 2018

The Gods of Afrika were visiting us today..NO playing party politics on the sacred matter of the land!✊🏾



The winner of the frankness & honesty award was Minister Nkwinti:

"The ANC has been reluctant to take this step for more than 20 years..Thank You EFF!"👏🏽#IzweLethu!🖐🏾 — Dali Mpofu (@AdvDali_Mpofu) February 27, 2018