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South Africa Rejects Trump’s Land Confiscation Claims, Defends Land Reform Policy

The South African government has strongly rejected accusations made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that the country was unfairly “confiscating land” and mistreating certain groups. Trump also announced plans to cut all U.S. funding to South Africa pending an investigation into the country’s land policies.
Trump’s Accusations and Funding Threat
Taking to Truth Social, Trump stated:
“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
During a media briefing, he further accused South Africa’s leadership of “doing some terrible things” but did not provide evidence to support his claims. This statement follows his broader “America First” policy, which has led to temporary freezes on foreign aid programs.
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South Africa’s Response
In response, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) dismissed Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that the country’s land reform policies align with constitutional principles. DIRCO stated:
“We trust President Trump’s advisers will take this time to gain a thorough understanding of South Africa’s policies within the framework of a constitutional democracy.”
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President Cyril Ramaphosa also refuted the claims, assuring that South Africa’s land reform efforts are lawful and intended to address racial disparities in land ownership caused by apartheid.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest,” Ramaphosa said. “South Africa is a constitutional democracy deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality.”
The Truth About South Africa’s Land Reform Bill
Last month, Ramaphosa signed a bill allowing the state to expropriate land in the public interest. The South African government clarified that this law does not permit arbitrary property seizures—landowners must reach an agreement before expropriation can proceed.
The reform aims to correct historical injustices, as a disproportionate amount of land remains under white ownership despite the end of apartheid in 1994. Many countries, including the U.S., have similar expropriation laws for public projects.
Elon Musk Joins the Debate
Billionaire Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a known Trump ally, also waded into the controversy. In response to Ramaphosa, Musk tweeted:
“Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?”
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His remarks echoed Trump’s criticisms but lacked evidence to support the claim.
What U.S. Aid Does South Africa Receive?
While Trump threatened to cut off U.S. funding to South Africa, Ramaphosa clarified that no significant American financial aid is provided outside of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which supports HIV/AIDS programs.
South Africa remains firm in defending its land reform policy, dismissing Trump’s allegations as baseless. The government hopes to engage diplomatically with U.S. officials to clarify its approach and avoid any further strain on bilateral relations.
South Africa Stands Firm: Ramaphosa Responds to Trump’s Funding Threats
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