President Trump, speaking to a FOX News reporter, said, “Terrible things are happening in South Africa; they’re confiscating land, and actually they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.”
Trump posted on Truth Social and X, saying, “South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain class of people VERY BADLY. It is a bad situation that the Racial Left Media doesn’t want to give so much mention. 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.”
This post comes after the signing of the Land Expropriation Bill into law by President Ramaphosa.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said, “We trust that President Trump’s advisors will leverage this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy. Such insights will ensure a respectful and informed approach to our democracy.”
Andile Mngxitama, uMkhonto weSizwe Party Member of Parliament, responded on X to Trump’s post, “Donald, you have been lied to, but because you are racist, you rush to defend your kith and kin. There is no land confiscation act in SA; in fact, we Blacks would prefer it. Do you think it’s just and sustainable that over 70% of the land is held by a white minority? Uyahlanya.”
Kallie Kriel, Afriforum CEO, responded to Trump’s post: “Afriforum will officially request the USA to directly punish senior ANC leaders and not the people of South Africa. We, as ordinary citizens, are already being punished by a hostile and foolish government and presidency in South Africa and do not want to be punished as well.”
According to the South African parliament, expropriation can be done for two purposes: for a public purpose and in the public interest.
Public purpose
Public purpose can be defined as “any purposes connected with the administration of the provisions of any law by any organ of state.”. An expropriating authority may only expropriate for a valid reason or purpose, e.g., land expropriated for building a school or hospital.
Public interest
In terms of section 25(4)(a) of the Constitution, “public interest includes the nation’s commitment to land reform and to reforms to bring about equitable access to all South Africa’s natural resources.”. Section 25 (8) further states that the state may take “legislative steps and other measures… in order to redress the results of past racial discrimination…”
Expropriation and land reform should be done in accordance with these two clauses. In the event of disputes, courts will determine compensation for expropriation.
