South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly refuted accusations from Donald Trump regarding an alleged forced land expropriation in South Africa.
The former U.S. president, now back in the White House, has announced the suspension of U.S. funding to Pretoria and ordered an investigation into the country’s land reform policy.
Ramaphosa Defends South African Land Policy
Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified the situation, stating that South Africa has not engaged in any arbitrary land seizures and that land reform is being conducted strictly within the constitutional framework of the country.
“South African legislation prohibits any abusive expropriation. The government is required to seek an agreement with landowners before any action,” he explained in an official statement.
The head of state also emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between the U.S. and South Africa, noting that Washington remains a key strategic partner both commercially and politically.
A Decision That Worries Pretoria
Trump’s sudden decision to freeze all financial aid to Pretoria has had an immediate impact. On Monday morning, the South African rand dropped in financial markets, signaling growing investor concern over the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed confidence in Washington’s ability to better understand the South African legal framework.
“We are confident that President Trump’s advisors will take the necessary time to analyze our policies and realize that this legislation is similar to that in many countries,” an official statement clarified.
A Land Reform Under Pressure
Land redistribution in South Africa has been a hot topic for decades. A legacy of apartheid, about 75% of fertile agricultural land is still owned by the white minority, which represents less than 9% of the population.
In January, Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing, under certain conditions, land expropriation without compensation to facilitate a more equitable redistribution of agricultural land.
This measure, although enshrined in the South African Constitution, has provoked strong reactions, particularly among conservative circles and influential figures like Elon Musk, a South African-born American billionaire and close advisor to Trump.
Diplomatic Relations Tested
U.S. interference in this matter risks weakening the relationship between Pretoria and Washington at a time when South Africa seeks to strengthen its economic partnerships with other powers, including China and Russia.
Ramaphosa has expressed his desire to engage in direct dialogue with the Trump administration to dispel misunderstandings and avoid a diplomatic escalation that could penalize relations between the two nations.
“We hope for constructive dialogue with our American partners to explain our reforms and work together on matters of common interest,” he stated.
As South Africa tries to balance social justice with economic growth, this new crisis with the U.S. could further undermine its economy, already facing numerous internal challenges.
It remains to be seen whether Donald Trump will maintain his stance or be open to negotiation in the coming weeks.