South Africa’s governing coalition faces mounting pressure as a constitutional challenge to the country’s controversial land expropriation law reaches the courts.
The Democratic Alliance, the country’s second-largest political party, filed a legal challenge on Monday against the Expropriation Act, arguing that key provisions are unconstitutional.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the law in January 2025, allowing the government to expropriate private property without compensation in certain cases to address longstanding inequalities in land ownership.
The Democratic Alliance and business groups say the legislation weakens property rights, discourages investment, and creates uncertainty for the economy.
The African National Congress, however, says the law is an essential step toward correcting historical land injustices, with much of South Africa’s land still owned by the white minority.
The court challenge comes amid growing international scrutiny, including financial aid cuts imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Afrikaner advocacy groups have also filed legal petitions, adding to a case that could test the stability of South Africa’s governing coalition and shape the country’s future land reform policy.