In a significant political move, US President Donald Trump has declared that he will halt all future funding to South Africa due to accusations surrounding the nation’s land seizure policies and the treatment of specific communities. This decision follows the recent enactment of legislation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, permitting land expropriation without compensation under certain conditions, a policy that has ignited heated debate.
Contentious land reform in South Africa
Land ownership remains a deeply divisive issue in South Africa, with a substantial portion of agricultural land still predominantly held by white individuals, nearly three decades after the abolition of apartheid. There have been persistent demands for the government to implement land reforms that address historical injustices stemming from racial segregation.
“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,”
President Ramaphosa stated in a response shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning. Adding to the discourse, Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur and Trump advisor, raised concerns over what he perceives as racially biased ownership laws, questioning their legitimacy in his post on the platform.
Trump’s strong stance and its implications
On his social media outlet, Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” He elaborated during a press briefing that the current South African leadership is engaging in “terrible” and “horrible” practices. Trump emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations of land confiscation and related actions.
South Africa’s International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, responded on X, expressing hope that Trump’s team would take this opportunity to better understand South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy. He remarked, “Such insights will ensure a respectful and informed approach to our democratic commitments.”
President Ramaphosa clarified that the new law is not intended for arbitrary confiscation but is a legally mandated process aimed at ensuring equitable public access to land in line with constitutional guidelines. He highlighted that the only funding received from the US is through the PEPFAR initiative, which constitutes around 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program. In 2023, the US provided approximately $440 million in assistance to South Africa.
The South African government maintains that the new law does not permit arbitrary land seizures without prior negotiation with the property owners. However, concerns have been raised regarding potential adverse effects stemming from this law, with critics fearing a repeat of Zimbabwe’s land reform crisis, which devastated the economy and deterred foreign investment.
Historically, during his first presidential term, Trump had instructed then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to investigate South Africa’s land expropriation practices and the alarming reports of violence against farmers. At that time, South Africa accused Trump of attempting to incite division, asserting that he was “misinformed” about the situation.