SA rejects Trump’s claims of unlawful land seizures

February 3, 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa

The South African presidency strongly rejected Donald Trump’s claims about land confiscation on Monday, after the former US president threatened to cut aid to the nation over its land reform policies.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasized that South Africa’s recently adopted Expropriation Act follows constitutional principles and does not permit arbitrary land seizures.

“The South African government has not confiscated any land,” Magwenya said. “The Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process.”

Trump made his comments during a Fox News interview, claiming “terrible things are happening in South Africa” regarding land ownership. He threatened to suspend US funding pending an investigation.

South Africa maintains limited financial exposure to US aid, with American support primarily concentrated in HIV/AIDS treatment through the PEPFAR program, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS funding.

Magwenya stressed the importance of diplomatic dialogue. “We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest,” he said.

Associate Professor John Molepo from Tshwane University of Technology suggested Trump’s comments could be linked to South Africa’s BRICS membership. “Considering how powerful the United States is, this is probably a way to push South Africa out of BRICS,” he said.

The controversy emerges as South Africa implements its new Expropriation Act, which officials say aligns with international legal standards for land reform while protecting property rights.

South African officials emphasized that the US remains a key strategic partner despite the disagreement, highlighting the need for continued diplomatic engagement to address misconceptions about the country’s land reform program.

Meta description: South Africa firmly rejects Donald Trump’s allegations of land confiscation and threats to cut US aid, emphasizing constitutional approach to land reform and limited US financial exposure.