Sun. Feb 9th, 2025

South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly refuted US President Donald Trump’s claims that South Africa is “confiscating land” and mistreating white farmers. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law and the principles of justice and equality enshrined in its constitution.

“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land,” Ramaphosa wrote.

Ramaphosa also expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the Trump administration over South Africa’s land reform policy and broader bilateral issues. He clarified that while the US is an important strategic political and trade partner, it does not provide significant funding to South Africa, with the exception of support for the country’s major HIV/AIDS relief program.

Trump’s Threat to Cut Aid

Trump’s comments, which were made on Truth Social this past Sunday, echo his previous concerns raised during his first presidential term in 2018 regarding South Africa’s land reform policies. He threatened to cut off all future funding to the country unless a full investigation is conducted into allegations of land confiscation and the alleged mistreatment of certain groups.

“South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” Trump wrote, citing concerns over what he perceives as discriminatory actions by the South African government.

Land Reform and Its History

Trump’s remarks touch on South Africa’s complicated history of land reform, which dates back to the apartheid era when racist policies forcibly removed black and non-white South Africans from their land in favor of white ownership. The 1994 democratic transition and the introduction of a new constitution set out provisions for land restitution and redistribution. However, despite these efforts, unemployment and poverty remain widespread among the black majority, who make up around 80 percent of the population but own only a small fraction of the land.

In January 2025, Ramaphosa signed a new land expropriation bill into law. The bill outlines new guidelines that would allow the government to expropriate land without compensation in certain cases, in line with the country’s constitutional provisions.

Ramaphosa Defends Land Expropriation Law

In his post on Monday, Ramaphosa emphasized that the new law is not a confiscation instrument, but rather a legal process aimed at ensuring equitable public access to land. He noted that the policy is “guided by the constitution,” which still includes protections against expropriation without compensation in most cases.

Despite the legal safeguards, experts believe the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party could face legal challenges if it moves forward with implementing the policy, especially with the complexities involved in addressing land inequalities in the country.

The controversy surrounding land expropriation continues to fuel debates within South Africa and abroad, as the country works to balance historical redress with constitutional protections and economic stability. Ramaphosa’s response has likely set the stage for further dialogue between South Africa and the US regarding this contentious issue.

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