President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly responded to United States President Donald Trump’s allegations that South Africa is “confiscating land” under its newly signed Expropriation Act. Trump’s claims, made on his social media platform Truth Social, have sparked a diplomatic row, with Ramaphosa asserting that South Africa’s land reform policies are rooted in the rule of law and constitutional democracy.
In a series of posts, Trump accused South Africa of engaging in “terrible things” and claimed that the country’s leadership was “confiscating land” and “treating certain classes of people very badly.” He went on to threaten to cut off all future funding to South Africa pending an investigation into the matter.
“A massive human rights violation, at a minimum, is happening for all to see. The United States won’t stand for it; we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed,” Trump wrote.
However, Ramaphosa swiftly dismissed these claims, stating that the South African government has not confiscated any land. In a tweet, he clarified that the Expropriation Act is a constitutionally mandated legal process designed to ensure equitable access to land.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. 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,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that South Africa, like the United States and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance public land use with the protection of property owners’ rights. Ramaphosa expressed his willingness to engage with the Trump administration to clarify the matter and reach a common understanding.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters,” he said.
Government and Opposition Weigh In
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya echoed Ramaphosa’s sentiments, emphasising that the Expropriation Act is not a tool for land confiscation.
“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,” Magwenya said.
He reiterated that the Act is a legal framework aimed at addressing historical land injustices and ensuring equitable land distribution. Magwenya also highlighted the importance of the US as a strategic partner for South Africa, noting that the only significant funding received from the US is through the PEPFAR programme, which supports the country’s HIV/Aids response.
Meanwhile, opposition parties and civil society groups have also weighed in on the controversy. The Democratic Alliance (DA), part of South Africa’s government of national unity (GNU), clarified that the Expropriation Act does not allow for arbitrary land seizures.
DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen stated, “It is not true that the Act allows land to be seized by the state arbitrarily, and it does require fair compensation for legitimate expropriations in terms of Section 25 of the Constitution.”
Steenhuisen emphasised the DA’s commitment to protecting property rights and ensuring that the Act aligns with constitutional principles.
AfriForum’s Response and International Reactions
AfriForum, a minority rights organisation, has been vocal in its opposition to the Expropriation Act. The group announced a three-point plan to challenge the legislation, including lobbying the US government to impose targeted sanctions on senior ANC leaders rather than South African citizens.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said, “AfriForum is also going to make an urgent request to the South African government to, in an attempt to avert this crisis, table an amendment to the Expropriation Act that will ensure the protection of property rights in South Africa.”
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola responded to Trump’s claims by expressing confidence that the former US president’s advisers would use the investigation period to gain a deeper understanding of South Africa’s land reform policies.
“We trust President Trump’s advisers will make use of the investigative period to attain a thorough understanding of South Africa’s policies within the framework of a constitutional democracy,” Lamola said.
He pointed out that expropriation laws are not unique to South Africa, citing examples such as eminent domain in the US and similar legislation in the UK.
Misinformation and Economic Risks
The GOOD Party has condemned what it describes as “deliberately false and inflammatory disinformation” spread by groups like AfriForum and political parties such as the DA and Freedom Front Plus. GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron accused these entities of misinforming Trump and putting South Africa’s economic welfare at risk.
“US President Donald Trump’s statements on social media that the South African government is ‘confiscating land’ and ill-treating ‘certain classes of people’ – and that South Africa is therefore deserving of economic sanctions – is a direct consequence of misrepresentations about the Expropriation Act by people who seek to protect the beneficiaries of colonial and apartheid land dispossession,” Herron said.
He described the act of appealing to US lawmakers to punish South Africa as “anti-democratic” and akin to “economic treason.”
Looking Ahead
As the debate over the Expropriation Act continues, South Africa remains committed to its land reform agenda, which seeks to address historical inequalities while upholding constitutional principles. Ramaphosa’s administration has expressed its readiness to engage with international partners, including the US, to clarify its policies and dispel misconceptions.
While Trump’s threats have raised concerns, South Africa’s leadership remains steadfast in its defence of the Expropriation Act as a necessary step towards achieving land justice and economic transformation.
