South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s accusation that the government is “confiscating” land, insisting that the country’s land reform policies are aimed at addressing historical inequality, not arbitrary expropriation.
Trump’s remarks, which targeted South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, were made after the law was signed by Ramaphosa last month. The act allows the government to seize property without compensation in certain cases for public interest.
However, Ramaphosa emphasised that the law does not authorise confiscation but follows a constitutionally mandated process for equitable land access.
In response to Trump’s assertion that the country was treating some people “VERY BADLY,” Ramaphosa said, “The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
Read also: You are lying Kagame tells Cyril Ramaphosa of S. Africa
Trump also threatened to cut funding to South Africa, citing the issue.
Ramaphosa further clarified that the bill aims to strike a balance between economic justice and private property rights, with negotiations required before any land can be expropriated.
The South African President expressed willingness to engage with the Trump administration to explain the land reform policy and foster better bilateral relations.
He also noted that aside from U.S. contributions to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program, there is no significant funding from the United States to South Africa.
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