Compensation at Market Value for Land Reform? A Critical Assessment of the MalaMala Judgment’s Approach to Compensation for Expropriation in South Africa

Johan Lorenzen

doi:10.5771/2363-6270-2014-2-151

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 117–118 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 117–118
- 119–227 Abhandlungen • Articles • Articles 119–227
  - 119–150 Rechtstransfer nach Afrika? Christian Roschmann Christian Roschmann 119–150
  - 151–174 Compensation at Market Value for Land Reform? A Critical Assessment of the MalaMala Judgment’s Approach to Compensation for Expropriation in South Africa Johan Lorenzen Johan Lorenzen 151–174
  - 175–186 L’adhésion de la République Démocratique du Congo à l'OHADA et son apport mitigé sur la capacité juridique de la femme mariée en matière professionnelle Jean-Michel Kumbu ki Ngimbi, Yves-Junior Manzanza Lumingu Jean-Michel Kumbu ki Ngimbi, Yves-Junior Manzanza Lumingu 175–186
  - 187–210 Regional Cooperation on Shared Watercourses: The Policy and Legal Framework on Transboundary Water Resources in Mainland Tanzania Kennedy Gastorn Kennedy Gastorn 187–210
  - 211–227 Confessions religieuses et processus électoral de 2011: une réflexion sur la manipulation des symboles religieux en République Démocratique du Congo Joseph Cihunda Hengelela Joseph Cihunda Hengelela 211–227
- 228–242 Berichte • Reports • Rapports 228–242
  - 228–236 Summary Report on the ‘Exchange Programme between Young Lawyers from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Judiciary of Baden-Württemberg (Germany)’ from 5 to 18 October 2014 Balingene Kahombo Balingene Kahombo 228–236
  - 237–242 Mitteilungen aus der Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht (2014) Harald Sippel Harald Sippel 237–242
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RiA Recht in Afrika | Law in Africa | Droit en Afrique , page 151 - 174

Compensation at Market Value for Land Reform? A Critical Assessment of the MalaMala Judgment’s Approach to Compensation for Expropriation in South Africa

Autoren

Johan Lorenzen

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/2363-6270-2014-2-151
- ISSN: 1435-0963
- ISSN online: 2363-6270
Abstract

As the State seeks to move away from the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ approach to determining compensation for expropriations in the context of land reform, the Property Valuation Act has been passed. It proposes determining compensation for expropriation with regard to all factors listed in section 25(3) of the Constitution on the assumption that this will de-emphasise market value in favour of a more holistic approach. This assumption is undercut by the recent MalaMala judgment in the Land Claims Court, where a consideration of the section 25(3) factors found no reason to deviate from market value. This paper critically assesses the MalaMala judgment. It suggests that the judgment over-emphasised market value in its approach, both in its approach to the nature of compensation and its application of the section 25(3) factors. It argues that such an approach neglects the varied understandings of the nature of compensation in comparative international law, ignores the unique language of section 25(3), and elides the historical context of land acquisition and the consequent value of land reform. The paper therefore argues that the judgment should not impede the implementation of the Property Valuation Act. “This Act therefore, seems to us like a one-edged knife - it cuts a big piece off the native and is very gentle with the European. The white man is told: ‘If the natives do not carry out the landlord’s wishes, chase them off the farm’ but the natives are not told where to go to.
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