QUESTION

You own a large home in Houghton, close to the Killarney/Saxonwold area.The property is 1 acre in extent and has wonderful facilities, including a large swimming pool and tennis court.Your property is worth R10 000000 and is perfect for re-development purposes.

You have recently found out that the golf course (which is across the road from your property) is to be expropriated.Upon further investigation, you have discovered that the government intends to build economic housing on the golf course property.You manage to get hold of one of the senior officials in the province who tells you that the government intends to build 5 000 housing units on the golf course property over the next 10 years.The reason why this location was chosen was because of the proximity of the area to transport routes and work opportunities.In addition, this official also tells you that your home is also to be expropriated and is to be given to one the government's ministers as a ministerial residence.The authorities have informed you that you will be paid

R1 000 000 in total for the expropriation and no more.

You have also been informed by the authorities that both expropriations are for public purpose, due to the economic housing that is to be built, and insofar as your property is concerned, this particular minister is required to entertain visiting dignitaries and heads of state and requires suitable premises in order to do so.

Can you challenge the expropriation and if so, upon what grounds?If the expropriation may not be challenged, are you entitled to more money?

You are required to discuss your rights terms of the Constitution.You are also required to compare the provisions of the current Constitution with the previous Constitution.In addition, you are also required to discuss the provisions of the Expropriation Act as they pertain to this matter, as well as anything else that you feel is pertinent.