South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded strongly on Monday to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to cut funding to South Africa. Trump had accused the country of “confiscating” land and mistreating certain groups of people. He made the statement on Sunday, announcing that all future funding to South Africa would be suspended until an investigation into these claims was completed.
“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people very badly. I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. He also commented in a press briefing, saying South Africa’s leadership was engaging in “horrible things,” although he did not provide specific examples.
In his own response on Monday via X, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is a constitutional democracy that upholds the rule of law, justice, and equity. He clarified that the government has not “confiscated any land.”
Regarding Trump’s decision to cut funding, Ramaphosa acknowledged the U.S. as a significant political and trade partner, but pointed out that South Africa only receives U.S. aid through the PEPFAR program, which funds 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program. He added, “The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa.”
Ramaphosa’s tweets further explained that the Expropriation Act, which was recently adopted, is not intended for confiscation but is a constitutionally mandated legal process designed to ensure equitable access to land. The Act does not allow arbitrary expropriation, but seeks to negotiate with property owners first.
He concluded by expressing a willingness to engage with the Trump administration over land reform and other bilateral matters, aiming to foster mutual understanding.
The issue of land reform in South Africa has long been contentious. Despite efforts to address the imbalances left by apartheid, with land still largely owned by white South Africans, the topic remains divisive. In December, Ramaphosa signed a bill allowing the government to expropriate land with “nil compensation” under certain conditions, sparking concerns of a repeat of Zimbabwe’s controversial land seizures in the 2000s.
The government maintains that the law ensures any expropriation would be done in the public interest, after reaching an agreement with landowners. However, fears of arbitrary land seizures persist, particularly among South Africa’s white landowners.
Land reform has become a rallying point for conservative voices, including Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire who has voiced support for white landowners. Trump’s inner circle includes several prominent figures with ties to South Africa, including Musk and other former PayPal executives, such as David Sacks and Peter Thiel, both of whom spent time in apartheid-era southern Africa. Musk has also been criticized for his stance on apartheid, though he has denied supporting the regime.
The land issue remains at the heart of South Africa’s post-apartheid challenges, with the government committed to addressing historic injustices while managing tensions surrounding the distribution of land.
