South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government will press ahead with plans to distribute more land to the black majority in an orderly fashion, warning that a failure to do so would perpetuate an injustice that dates back to apartheid rule and constrain the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cLand reform is an essential part of inclusive growth,\u201d Ramaphosa said in a speech to lawmakers in Cape Town on Thursday. He reiterated that the government supported changing the constitution to make it easier for it to take land without compensation.<\/p>\n
Ramaphosa\u2019s comments came a day after US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo cautioned that land expropriation would be disastrous for Africa\u2019s most industrialised economy and described the policy proposal as an example of centralised planning that has failed in other African states like Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
\u201cLand grabs will not be allowed to happen in our country,\u201d Ramaphosa said. \u201cWe refuse to be reckless.\u201d<\/p>\n