Trump Cuts Funding to South Africa Over Land Reform Policies

“The issue of land ownership has long been a contentious one in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people 30 years after the end of apartheid”

US President Donald Trump via his official X handle on Sunday, announced plans to cut all future funding to South Africa, citing allegations of land confiscation and mistreatment of certain groups.

This decision comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill into law in January, allowing for land seizures without compensation in specific circumstances.

The issue of land ownership has long been a contentious one in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white people 30 years after the end of apartheid.

The South African government has explained that the new law does not permit arbitrary land seizures and must first attempt to reach an agreement with the landowner.

According to President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, “the state may not expropriate property arbitrarily or for a purpose other than… in the public interest”.

However, critics have expressed concerns that the law may have disastrous consequences, similar to those seen in Zimbabwe, where land seizures led to economic devastation and scared away investors.

Trump’s decision to cut funding has been met with a measured response from the South African government, with International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola stating that he hopes Trump’s advisers will use “this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy”.

Ramaphosa had on Monday responded to Trump’s allegations, saying, “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality… The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution”.

Persecondnews reports that the US allocated approximately $440 million in assistance to South Africa in 2023, according to US government data.

Ramaphosa, however, has downplayed the impact of Trump’s decision, stating that the US remains a key strategic partner for South Africa, and that the only significant funding received from the US is through the PEPFAR Aid program, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program.