US President Donald Trump announced plans to eliminate all future funding to South Africa, citing allegations of land confiscation and mistreatment of certain groups within the country.
In a significant move last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted legislation permitting land seizures without compensation under specific conditions.
Land ownership remains a deeply divisive topic in South Africa, where, three decades after the dismantling of apartheid, a significant portion of farmland continues to be held by white individuals.
Calls for the government to tackle land reform and confront the historical injustices of racial segregation have been persistent.
South Africa operates as a constitutional democracy, firmly anchored in the rule of law, justice, and equality principles. In a statement released on X Monday morning, Ramaphosa asserted, “The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
Elon Musk, originally from South Africa and currently serving as an adviser to Trump, has entered the ongoing discussion.
“What is the rationale behind the existence of openly racist ownership laws?” In a recent post on X, Mr. Musk addressed Ramaphosa directly.
On Sunday, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce, “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
South Africans’ frustration regarding land issues is poised to reach a boiling point.
In a subsequent briefing with reporters, he remarked that South Africa’s leadership is engaging in “terrible things, horrible things.”
This matter is currently under investigation. A decision will be reached, but until we ascertain South Africa’s actions—specifically, its land confiscation efforts—it appears they may be engaging in practices that could be considered even more severe.
In a statement on X, South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola expressed his hope that advisers to former President Trump would use the ongoing investigation to enhance their comprehension of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy.
“These insights will promote a respectful and informed approach to our democratic commitments,” he stated.
The president of South Africa stated that the government has not taken possession of any land.
The South African president stated that the newly introduced law is not intended as a “confiscation instrument” but rather serves as a constitutionally mandated legal process designed to guarantee public access to land in a fair and just manner by the constitution.
He stated that the only funding South Africa receives from the United States is through the health initiative Pepfar, which he noted accounts for “17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme.”
According to US government sources, in 2023, the United States provided approximately $440 million (£358 million) in aid to South Africa.
The South African government has stated that the newly enacted law prohibits arbitrary land seizures, emphasising that efforts must first be made to negotiate with the property owner.
Last month, Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson, stated that the state “may not expropriate property arbitrarily or for a purpose other than… in the public interest.”
The existing “willing seller, willing buyer” framework has reportedly enabled white farmers to postpone the advancement of land reform initiatives.
Critics have raised concerns that the law could lead to catastrophic outcomes reminiscent of Zimbabwe, where land seizures devastated the economy and drove away potential investors.
In 2018, during his initial term in office, President Trump requested that then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo investigate the issues surrounding South Africa’s “farm seizures and expropriations and the large-scale killing of farmers.”
During that period, South Africa levelled accusations against Trump, claiming he aimed to create division, and a spokesperson stated that he was “misinformed.”
