On Friday, 7 February, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cut U.S. financial aid to South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s land policy and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The U.S. allocated nearly $440 million in assistance to South Africa in 2023, according to the latest government data.
According to Reuters, in addition to cutting financial aid, the White House announced plans to facilitate the resettlement of white South African farmers and their families as refugees.
U.S. officials will prioritise humanitarian relief, including resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programme, specifically for Afrikaners in South Africa, who are descendants of early Dutch and French settlers.
Trump, without providing evidence, claimed that South Africa was “confiscating land” and that certain groups were being treated “very badly.”
Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire and Trump ally, has similarly claimed that white South Africans face “racist ownership laws.”
Land ownership remains a politically sensitive issue in South Africa due to the historical injustices of colonialism and apartheid.
White landowners still control around three-quarters of the country’s freehold farmland, while only 4% is owned by Black people, who make up 80% of the population. This disparity has led to ongoing tensions over land reform.
In response to Trump’s executive order, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, on Saturday, 08 February, criticised the move, saying it lacked factual accuracy and failed to acknowledge South Africa’s painful history of colonialism and apartheid. Said Lamola:
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We are concerned by what seems to be a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation.
It is disappointing to observe that such narratives seem to have found favour among decision-makers in the United States of America.
It is ironic that the executive order makes provision for refugee status in the US for a group in South Africa that remains amongst the most economically privileged, while vulnerable people in the US from other parts of the world are being deported and denied asylum despite real hardship.
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Lamola added that South Africa remains dedicated to seeking diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes.

Pindula News

President Donald Trump of the United States has decided to stop giving money to South Africa because he is worried about their land policies and their case against Israel. He also wants to help white farmers in South Africa move to America as refugees. Some people, including Elon Musk, say that white people in South Africa are treated unfairly. The issue of who owns the land in South Africa is a big problem because most of the land is owned by white people, even though most of the population is Black. South Africa's Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, criticized Trump's decision, saying it is not based on facts. He wants to solve any problems through peaceful talks.

Trump Cuts Aid To South Africa, Offers To Resettle "Boers" In America

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:
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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.
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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.

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