AfriForum takes Expropriation Act to High Court

Cape Town – Civil rights organisation AfriForum is heading to the Western Cape High Court to challenge the constitutionality of South Africa’s Expropriation Act, with proceedings set to take place from 2 to 4 March.

The organisation is seeking to have the legislation declared unconstitutional, arguing that it threatens property rights in the country.

As reported by News24, AfriForum’s legal challenge forms part of its broader efforts to oppose the implementation of the law.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the organisation believes the law could undermine the constitutional protection of private property.

“We believe that the Expropriation Act poses a serious threat to property rights in South Africa and that it opens the door for the state to take property without fair safeguards,” Kriel said.

Fight against the Expropriation Act kicks off: AfriForum’s legal team is in the High Court in Cape Town today where the first phase of the court battle against expropriation without compensation begins.

Private property rights are being relentlessly attacked on many fronts by… pic.twitter.com/vSAuPQTQY5

— Conscious Caracal 🇿🇦 (@ConCaracal) March 2, 2026

The court hearings will first deal with procedural issues, including determining which organisations or groups may participate in the matter as respondents or applicants, according to EWN.

Meanwhile, a separate legal matter is also unfolding in the Western Cape High Court, where a Khoi-San movement has filed an urgent application to halt the City of Cape Town’s planned auction of public land valued at about R135 million.

The land earmarked for sale includes the Good Hope Centre. The group argues that the municipality acted unlawfully by proceeding with the auction while an appeal relating to the matter is still pending.

The upcoming hearings are expected to determine how both legal matters will proceed, with the challenge against the Expropriation Act likely to draw significant national attention.