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By Ruth Chidimma Akuma
South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has dismissed Donald Trump’s claims that South African government is “confiscating” land, stating that he is willing to clarify his government’s land reform policy to the U.S. president.
Trump’s remarks seemed to reference a land expropriation law that Ramaphosa signed last month. This law allows the government, under certain conditions, to take property without paying for it, if it serves the public interest.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelLand ownership remains a heated topic in South Africa, where a large portion of farmland is still held by white individuals, even 30 years after apartheid ended.
Efforts to address this inequality have faced backlash from conservatives, including Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, who was born in South Africa and is a strong supporter of Trump.
READ ALSO: Trump Criticises Ramaphosa’s Land Policy, Threatens To Cut Off Funding To South Africa
In response to Trump’s comments, Ramaphosa stated, “The South African government has not confiscated any land.”
Trump had also accused the government of treating some groups “VERY BADLY” and hinted at cutting funding to South Africa.
The government explained that the new law does not allow for arbitrary land seizures and requires that an agreement be made with the property owner first.
Ramaphosa also pointed out that the Expropriation Act is not a tool for confiscation. Instead, it is a “constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures fair access to land, as directed by the constitution.”
“We are eager to discuss our land reform policy and other topics of mutual interest with the Trump administration,” he added. “We believe these discussions will lead to a clearer understanding of these issues.”
Ramaphosa’s statement also mentioned that, aside from support from the PEPFAR anti-HIV/Aids initiative—which accounts for 17 percent of South Africa’s HIV/Aids program—there is no significant funding from the United States in South Africa.
It noted that the United States is an important political and trade partner for South Africa.
Akuma is an at Prime Business Africa.
