US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut all future funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s land ownership policy. The dispute centers on a recent law allowing land seizures under specific circumstances, which has sparked international debate.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the country’s position, emphasizing that South Africa is a “constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality.” He pointed out that no land has been confiscated and that US funding primarily supports South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program through the Pepfar initiative.
The new law permits land expropriation without compensation only when it is “just and equitable and in the public interest.” This includes situations where property is unused, undeveloped, or poses a risk to people. Previously, land acquisition was limited to a “willing seller, willing buyer” principle, which some argued delayed necessary land reforms.
The US currently provides approximately $440 million in assistance to South Africa annually. Trump’s threat comes after South Africa signed a law addressing land ownership disparities, a sensitive issue 30 years after the end of apartheid, with most private farmland still owned by white people.
Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump adviser, entered the debate, criticizing the law as discriminatorily targeting white property owners. Trump himself described South Africa’s leadership as doing “terrible things,” promising to investigate the situation before making a final funding decision.
Some critics worry the land policy could have economic consequences similar to Zimbabwe’s controversial land seizures. AfriForum, a group protecting Afrikaner interests, while critical of the law, disagrees with Trump’s broad funding cut, suggesting targeted measures instead.
This is not the first time Trump has raised concerns about South Africa’s land policies. During his previous term, he asked then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to investigate farm seizures and alleged farmer killings, claims South Africa dismissed as misinformed.
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