The South African government has strongly rejected claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a new land expropriation law.
Trump alleged that the law would allow the government to seize land from white farmers without compensation, leading to a freeze on U.S. aid to South Africa.
A Heated International Debate
The accusations quickly escalated into a major diplomatic dispute.
South Africa dismissed Trump’s statements as “propaganda” and “a campaign of misinformation.”
Officials in Pretoria expressed frustration, calling the claims misleading and an unfair portrayal of the country’s land reform efforts.
Land ownership remains a sensitive topic in South Africa, with historical inequalities dating back to colonialism and apartheid.
Despite three decades of democracy, most farmland is still owned by white South Africans, making land reform a critical issue in the country’s political landscape.
Trump’s Executive Order and U.S. Response
On Friday, Trump issued an executive order citing the Expropriation Act, which came into effect in January.
He claimed the law would enable the South African government to seize agricultural property owned by Afrikaners—descendants of early European settlers—without proper compensation.
His order also pointed to broader foreign policy disagreements between the U.S. and South Africa, including Pretoria’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its stance on the war in Gaza.
The order further pledged support for “ethnic minority Afrikaners,” including offering them refugee status in the U.S.
In response, South Africa’s foreign ministry stated that Trump’s claims were factually incorrect and ignored the country’s complex history of colonial land dispossession.
South Africa Stands Firm
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa did not hold back in his response.
In a national address, he stated that his country would not be “bullied” by the United States.
“We are witnessing the rise of nationalism, protectionism, and the pursuit of narrow interests,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing South Africa’s right to determine its own policies without external interference.
The South African presidency has categorically denied any plans to seize land unlawfully.
Legal experts also pointed out that the Expropriation Act does not introduce new policies but rather clarifies existing legal frameworks.
It allows for land expropriation in cases where it is deemed “just and equitable”—but only under exceptional circumstances.
Social Media and Public Reactions
South Africans of all backgrounds have taken to social media to mock the U.S. stance on the issue.
Many users sarcastically questioned whether Afrikaners who moved to the U.S. should now be called “Amerikaners.”
Others joked about whether wine estates or safari reserves would be evacuated next.
Meanwhile, AfriForum, a small Afrikaner advocacy group, welcomed Trump’s statements but reaffirmed that white South Africans’ place is in their home country.
Elon Musk Weighs In
Adding fuel to the fire, South African-born billionaire Elon Musk voiced his support for Trump’s claims.
Musk accused Ramaphosa’s government of enforcing “openly racist ownership laws,” further igniting controversy.
What’s Next for South Africa?
As the debate continues, South Africa remains adamant that its land reform policies are aimed at addressing historical injustices rather than targeting any specific racial group.
The government has emphasized its commitment to lawful and fair redistribution while pushing back against international criticism.
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