President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired back at US President Donald Trump’s comments regarding South Africa’s land expropriation bill. Trump had tweeted that South Africa was “taking away land” and threatened to cut future funding to the country, claiming that “terrible things” were happening there. He also described the land reform process as a “massive human rights violation,” warning that the US would take action unless a full investigation was conducted.
In response, Ramaphosa clarified that the land expropriation process was not about confiscation but rather a legal framework to ensure equitable access to land. He emphasized that the country’s actions were firmly grounded in its constitution, which upholds justice, equality, and the rule of law. The South African president also reassured that land reform policies were designed to balance public interest and property rights.
Ramaphosa also expressed willingness to engage with the Trump administration to foster a better understanding of South Africa’s land reform policy. He reiterated that the Expropriation Act was a constitutionally mandated process aimed at correcting historical injustices and promoting social and economic equity.
While acknowledging the importance of US-South Africa relations, Ramaphosa noted that South Africa’s funding from the US is limited, primarily consisting of PEPFAR aid, which supports the nation’s HIV/AIDS programs. He closed by stressing the importance of diplomatic dialogue to resolve differences and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
