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.

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance declared a dispute with the nation’s coalition government, days after President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to a new law that will make it easier for the state to expropriate land.