Signal South Africa's Democratic Alliance Challenges Expropriation Act in Western Cape High Court

Summary

South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the governing coalition, joined AfriForum in filing a challenge in the Western Cape High Court on August 3, 2026, seeking to have the Expropriation Act declared unconstitutional and invalid, Polity.org.za reported. The Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025, allows the state to seize land in the public interest, in some cases without compensation, as part of efforts to redress apartheid-era land inequities. Lawyers for the DA and AfriForum argued the law was passed through a defective parliamentary process and that key provisions are vague, contradictory, and incompatible with constitutional property protections. DA Federal Council chairperson Ashor Sarupen addressed supporters and media outside the courthouse. The case has created friction with the African National Congress, the largest coalition party, as South Africa heads toward November 2026 municipal elections. The Expropriation Act previously drew criticism from the Trump administration, giving the domestic legal challenge international visibility.