This was after political parties took to the National Assembly on Tuesday to vote on whether to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation. 

A report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution was adopted earlier this year, paving the way for a debate and a vote by MPs.  

The African National Congress (ANC) made lengthy submissions before the house, arguing in favour of the Bill. 

Al Jama-ah voted with the ANC, adding a single vote to the governing party’s 200 votes. 

But the Bill needed two-thirds to pass - a total of 267 votes. 

The Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, African Christian Democratic Party, the Good Party and the Congress of the People are among the parties that voted against the controversial Bill.  

There were no abstentions and with the pushback from the opposition benches, no majority was obtained.  

While the Constitution has been amended 17 times, this is the first time in history that a clause in the Bill of Rights was being considered for amendment. 

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