Image Source: Polity
South Africa – Following United States President Donald Trump’s threats to cut aid to South Africa over concerns about the recently enacted Expropriation Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is eager to engage with Trump on land reform policies, believing such discussions will lead to a mutual understanding.
Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa is a constitutional democracy deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. He stated that the South African government has not confiscated any land.
“The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the Constitution.”
“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.”
Earlier this week, President Trump tweeted what is widely believed to be misconceptions, stating that “South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.” He described the situation as a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION” and accused the media of ignoring it.
Trump further declared that the United States “won’t stand for it” and vowed to cut off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation was completed.
However, President Ramaphosa reiterated that the United States remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa and clarified, “With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.”
DIRCO Minister Urges Trump Administration to Deepen Understanding of SA Policies
Following these concerns, President Trump announced that investigations would be conducted into South Africa’s land expropriation policies.
In response, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, welcomed the investigative period, expressing confidence that it would lead to a clearer understanding of South Africa’s policies.
He stated that President Trump’s advisors would have the opportunity to thoroughly assess South Africa’s land policies within the framework of a constitutional democracy.
“This approach will promote a well-informed viewpoint that values and recognises our nation’s dedication to democratic ideals and governance.”
“It may become clear that our Expropriation Act is not exceptional, as many countries have similar legislation, commonly referred to as eminent domain in the United States and governed by various acts in the United Kingdom.”
The Expropriation Act of South Africa stipulates that property may not be expropriated arbitrarily or for any purpose other than serving a public purpose or being in the public interest.
The Act, which underwent a five-year public consultation process and was debated in Parliament, aligns with the South African Constitution.
It replaces the Expropriation Act of 1975 and enables the State to expropriate land in the public interest, provided that compensation is just and equitable.
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AfriForum Requests Measures Against ANC Leaders
Unlike some political parties that raised concerns about President Trump’s statements, such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), whose leader Julius Malema called them “offensive and undermining our sovereignty,” civil rights group AfriForum took a different stance.
AfriForum called on Trump to impose punitive measures directly on senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders rather than on South Africa’s citizens.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, “AfriForum’s position is and has always been that the foolish government and president should be punished for their destructive policies rather than the country’s citizens.”
Additionally, AfriForum intends to lobby the South African government to amend the Expropriation Act to explicitly protect property rights, arguing that the legislation has already weakened investor confidence.
However, the ANC strongly condemned AfriForum’s stance, accusing it of orchestrating a misinformation campaign that has influenced Trump’s views. The ANC argued that AfriForum seeks to protect apartheid-era land ownership patterns and uses fear-mongering to block economic transformation.
“AfriForum has long positioned itself as a defender of white minority privilege, using fear-mongering to undermine South Africa’s constitutional and lawful land reform programme. Their campaign is not about justice but about blocking economic transformation and maintaining an oppressive status quo.”
“AfriForum’s lobbying efforts in the US and other countries have deliberately misrepresented South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which is a fair, constitutional mechanism aimed at reversing historical land dispossession.”
“By weaponising misinformation, they have emboldened some, who have no understanding of South Africa’s democratic processes but are quick to perpetuate racist narratives.”
The ANC said it is unacceptable that AfriForum continues to seek external intervention against South Africa’s domestic policies, particularly those aimed at addressing historical land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid.
“The ANC will not tolerate racist distortions aimed at undermining our national sovereignty and transformation agenda. We call on all progressive forces, both locally and globally, to reject AfriForum’s divisive agenda and stand with South Africa in its pursuit of justice, equity, and meaningful land reform.”
