NGOs Criticise Government Over Land

The Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA), have warned that the proposed prohibitions on foreign land ownership promotes the perception that non-nationals are not welcome in the country.

In a joint submission to the South African Human Rights Commission’s public hearings on the Millennium Development Goals and the Realisation of Economic and Social Rights, the two organisations argue that this is a major barrier to attempts at integration and reinforces xenophobic ideas that foreigners, regardless of their legal status, cannot be full members of South African society.

They also criticised landlords for refusing to lease their properties to non-nationals regardless of their legal status and also taking advantage of their vulnerability to charge them higher rental rates than South Africans.

To view the full submission, click here.