South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified that the recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a tool for confiscation but a constitutionally mandated legal process aimed at ensuring equitable and just public access to land.
Ramaphosa’s statement came in response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Sunday that the United States would cut all future funding to South Africa, accusing the country of “confiscating” land and mistreating certain groups.
Trump made this declaration on his Truth Social platform, saying funding would be halted until a full investigation into the matter is completed.
In his response on Monday morning, Ramaphosa posted on his verified X page, saying he was eager to engage with the Trump administration on South Africa’s land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest.
He also said that US funding to South Africa is primarily in the form of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme. Wrote Ramaphosa:
<blockquote>
South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land.
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.
South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.
We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest.
We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.
The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.
</blockquote>

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South African President Ramaphosa said new land law isn't about taking land, responding to Trump's threat to cut aid. Trump accused South Africa of confiscating land and mistreating groups. Ramaphosa clarified that the Expropriation Act is a legal process for fair land access. He wants to talk to the US about the land policy and other important issues. Most of the US funding to South Africa is for HIV/AIDs, but Trump will stop it for now. Ramaphosa hopes to work things out with the US and keep a good relationship.

South Africa Receives Minimal U.S. Funding, Ramaphosa Responds To Trump's Aid Cut Threats

The South African government has rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claims that Pretoria is committing egregious human rights violations by allegedly confiscating land from white farmers.
Trump stated on his Truth Social platform on Sunday that South Africa was “treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY” and that the United States would cut off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation into the matter is completed.
Responding to Trump’s statement, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said Trump was misinformed about South Africa’s policies. Lamola wrote on X:
<blockquote>
We trust that President Trump’s advisors will leverage this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy. Such insights will ensure a respectful and informed approach to our democratic commitments.
</blockquote>
Trump’s announcement follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of a bill last month allowing the government to expropriate land without compensation in specific cases.
The Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 in South Africa allows the government to expropriate property for public purposes or in the public interest.
This new law replaces the 1975 Expropriation Act and aims to align with the Constitution. It sets out the procedures for expropriation and specifies that compensation must be just and equitable, although in certain cases, no compensation may be required.

South Africa said Trump was wrong about land accusations. Trump said US would cut funding until investigated. South Africa's Lamola said Trump is misinformed. Law allows land expropriation for public interest. New law replaces old one aligning with the Constitution. Compensation must be fair, sometimes no payment needed. Trump criticized SA but SA defended its policies. Land confiscation issue remains a point of contention between US and SA.

SA Rejects Trump's "Confiscation" Of Land Accusation

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he is cutting all future funding to South Africa, criticising the country for “confiscating” land and mistreating certain groups.
This follows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of a bill last month allowing the government to expropriate land without compensation in specific cases.
Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that funding will be halted until a full investigation into the matter is completed. He wrote:
<blockquote>
South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. It is a bad situation that the Radical Left Media doesn’t want to so much as mention. A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see. The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!
</blockquote>
Pretoria argues that the bill does not permit the government to expropriate property arbitrarily and requires an agreement with the owner first.
However, some groups fear a scenario similar to Zimbabwe’s seizure of white-owned commercial farms during the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme under Robert Mugabe at the turn of the millennium.
Later, in a briefing with journalists, Trump said that South Africa’s “leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things” without providing examples. He said:
<blockquote>
So that’s under investigation right now. We’ll make a determination, and until such time as we find out what South Africa is doing — they’re taking away land and confiscating land, and actually, they’re doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.
</blockquote>
Land ownership in South Africa remains a contentious issue, with most farmland still owned by white people three decades after apartheid ended.
The South African government says the 1913 Natives Land Act forcibly removed thousands of Black families from their land during the apartheid era.
The Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 in South Africa allows the government to expropriate property for public purposes or in the public interest.
This new law replaces the 1975 Expropriation Act and aims to align with the Constitution. It sets out the procedures for expropriation and specifies that compensation must be just and equitable, although in certain cases, no compensation may be required.

President Trump has stopped giving money to South Africa because he thinks they are taking land from people and treating them badly. South Africa says they are not just taking land without reason, but need to agree with the owner first. Trump is investigating more to find out. Some people worry it will be like what happened in Zimbabwe, where white people lost land. In South Africa, most land is still owned by white people after apartheid. A new law allows the government to take land for public reasons. It says compensation should be fair, but sometimes it may not be needed.

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