Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that he will halt all future funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s newly signed land reform legislation. The controversial law, which allows land expropriation without compensation under specific conditions, has reignited international debate over property rights and historical land inequalities in South Africa.
Trump made the announcement on his platform, Truth Social, stating, “I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” He later reinforced his stance during a press briefing, accusing South Africa’s leadership of “doing some terrible things, horrible things.”
Land ownership remains a deeply sensitive topic in South Africa. Decades after the end of apartheid, a significant portion of private farmland is still owned by white South Africans, prompting calls for government intervention to address historical injustices. The new law permits land seizures in cases where property is unused, poses a risk, or where expropriation is deemed “just and equitable.”
Until now, the country relied on a willing seller, willing buyer model, which critics argue slowed down land reform efforts. However, opponents of the new policy warn it could deter investment and destabilize the economy, with some drawing comparisons to Zimbabwe’s land seizures, which led to economic collapse.
In response to Trump’s statements, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took to social media to clarify his government’s position. He emphasized that South Africa remains a “constitutional democracy deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality.” He also denied claims of land confiscation, stating that the only U.S. funding received by South Africa is through PEPFAR, an HIV/AIDS relief program, which contributes to 17% of the country’s efforts in combating the disease.
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South Africa’s Mineral Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe, addressed the controversy at a mining conference, suggesting that South Africa should leverage its rich mineral resources if the U.S. decides to withdraw financial aid. The country is a key supplier of minerals such as platinum, iron, and manganese to the U.S.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and is now an adviser to Trump, also entered the debate. He criticized the law, alleging that it discriminates against white landowners. In a post directed at Ramaphosa on X (formerly Twitter), Musk questioned, “Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?”
The move to cut U.S. funding has drawn mixed reactions. AfriForum, an advocacy group representing Afrikaner interests, opposes the land expropriation law but also criticized Trump’s proposed aid cuts. The group argued that punitive measures should target “senior ANC leaders” rather than the broader South African population.
Trump’s remarks mark the latest in a series of criticisms against South Africa’s land policies. During his first term as president, he instructed then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to investigate land seizures and reports of violence against farmers, a move that South African officials dismissed as “misinformed.”
With tensions escalating, the coming months will be crucial in determining how this policy shift impacts U.S.-South Africa relations and the broader global conversation on land ownership and economic justice.