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TRUMP TO CUT U.S. FUNDING TO SOUTH AFRICA OVER LAND POLICY DISPUTE

TRUMP TO CUT U.S. FUNDING TO SOUTH AFRICA OVER LAND POLICY DISPUTE
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Faith  Nyasuguta 

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to halt all future funding to South Africa, citing what he calls a “massive” human rights violation against white people under the country’s new land expropriation law. He has also launched an investigation into the policy, raising concerns about its impact.

Trump made the declaration on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, stating, “South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.” He further alleged, “A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see.” Without providing evidence, he warned, “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!

South Africa’s government responded on Monday, urging the Trump administration to understand the true intent of the new land law. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement emphasizing that “the South African government has not confiscated any land.”

While the law was signed last month, no significant action has been taken under it so far. The legislation has long been debated as a way to address historic injustices stemming from the apartheid era, during which Black South Africans were forcibly removed from their lands by the white minority government.

Donald Trump (L) and Cyril Ramaphosa /Courtesy/

Trump’s Allies Weigh In

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump ally, has previously criticized Ramaphosa’s administration, accusing it of being anti-white. In 2023, Musk claimed that the government was allowing a “genocide” against white farmers.

However, experts argue that while white farmers have been victims of violent crimes, the country’s high murder rate is a broader issue that affects all South Africans. With an average of around 70 homicides per day, South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, predominantly affecting Black citizens.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump stated, “They’re taking away land, they’re confiscating land, and actually, they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.”

He did not specify which policies or groups he was referring to, but his remarks appeared to be a reaction to South Africa’s recently passed Expropriation Act. The law gives the government the power to acquire land from private owners in cases deemed to be in the public interest.

Critics fear this could lead to land seizures, particularly affecting white landowners. However, the South African government insists that the law does not target any racial group and is not a tool for mass confiscation.

Donald Trump (L) and Elon Musk / The Independent/

Government Defends Land Reform

Ramaphosa’s office released a statement clarifying the law’s intent: “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.”

The government further noted that expropriation laws exist in many countries, including the United States, to balance public land needs with property rights.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola urged the Trump administration to use its investigation to gain “a deeper understanding of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy.” He added that such an approach would foster “a respectful and informed engagement with our democratic commitments.”

South Africa receives substantial financial support from the U.S., particularly in health programs. A significant portion of this aid comes from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides approximately $400 million annually for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.

This funding was already in jeopardy due to Trump’s bigger foreign aid freezes, and his latest decision could further disrupt South Africa’s health sector.

Ramaphosa’s office downplayed the potential financial impact, stating that “there is no other significant funding that is provided by the United States in South Africa.” However, the U.S. is South Africa’s largest trading partner in Africa, meaning any strain on diplomatic relations could have economic consequences.

A civil society group representing South Africa’s Afrikaans-speaking white minority has opposed the land expropriation law and expressed concern over Trump’s planned funding cuts. The group argued that any U.S. action should target government officials rather than ordinary South Africans.

Historical Context and Next Steps

/Politico/

Trump has previously voiced concerns about land reform in South Africa. In 2018, during his first term, he tweeted that the South African government was seizing land from white farmers and that there was “large scale killing of farmers.” His remarks, which were widely criticized as misleading, prompted then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to investigate.

Trump’s latest comments have reignited debate over South Africa’s land policies and racial tensions. While the U.S. investigation may take months, the threat of funding cuts adds another layer of pressure on the Ramaphosa administration.

For now, the South African government maintains that its land reform efforts are necessary for historical redress, while Trump and his allies argue that they unfairly target white landowners. The situation remains highly charged, with potential global repercussions.

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Faith Nyasuguta

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