Opponents of a controversial South African land expropriation bill are calling the legislation a threat to private ownership after it was endorsed by the country's president.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a bill allowing land seizures by the state without compensation - a move that has put him at odds with some members of his government.

Press Release - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa's assenting to the long-awaited Expropriation Bill. The Federation supports the Expropriation Act as a necessary legislative overhaul of the existing 1975 Expropriation Act drafted during apartheid's darkest days,