Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 05-02-2025

Trump’s Allegations and South Africa’s Response

Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut financial aid to South Africa, asserting that the government in Pretoria is engaging in unlawful land seizures. Trump’s claims, shared on Truth Social, suggest that certain groups, particularly white South Africans, are being unfairly targeted.

“The South African government is confiscating land and mistreating certain groups of people,” Trump stated. “The United States will not tolerate this. We will take action and suspend all funding until a thorough investigation is conducted.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa swiftly refuted these accusations, emphasizing on X that “the South African government has not confiscated any land.” He defended the recently passed Expropriation Act, asserting that it aims to address historical inequalities in land ownership rather than serve as a mechanism for arbitrary property seizures.

The Expropriation Act, signed into law in January, facilitates land redistribution to rectify racial imbalances stemming from South Africa’s apartheid past. The government insists that the legislation does not permit arbitrary expropriation and is strictly governed by constitutional and legal frameworks.

Legal expert Tembeka Ngcukaitobi described the hysteria surrounding the law as misleading, clarifying that the Act allows for land expropriation in circumstances deemed just and beneficial to the public. He further explained that compensation might be omitted in specific cases where land is unutilized or poses risks.

Are White South Africans Being Targeted?

Trump’s assertion that South Africa is treating certain groups “very badly” echoes similar claims he made during his presidency, when he suggested that white South African farmers were victims of large-scale killings. However, no substantial evidence supports this claim.

Professor Rudolph Zinn, a criminologist, has pointed out that violent crime in South Africa is a widespread issue, affecting all racial groups. He emphasized that farm attacks are part of a broader crime epidemic rather than politically motivated actions against white farmers.

Land ownership disparities in South Africa are deeply rooted in its colonial and apartheid history. The 1913 Natives Land Act drastically limited Black South Africans’ ability to own or lease land, leading to mass displacement. Despite post-apartheid efforts to reform land ownership, significant inequalities persist.

White South Africans, who comprise just over 7% of the population, still control more than 70% of privately owned farmland, according to government statistics from 2017. This enduring disparity underscores the need for land reform initiatives like the Expropriation Act.

Why Is Trump Raising This Issue Now?

Political analyst Ongama Mtimka suggests that Trump’s remarks may stem from misinformation or a strategic foreign policy maneuver. He posits that Trump could be leveraging the issue to pressure the South African government, particularly given its recent diplomatic stance against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In response to Trump’s threats, the South African government expressed a willingness to engage in diplomatic discussions. Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa remains committed to constitutional democracy and intends to clarify misconceptions through diplomatic channels.