Trump Threatens to Cut South Africa Funding Over Land Reform Law.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to halt funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country's recent land reform legislation and alleged mistreatment of certain groups.
The dispute centers on a new law signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa allowing land seizures without compensation under specific conditions. This legislation addresses longstanding inequalities in land ownership, with white farmers still controlling most agricultural land three decades after apartheid ended.
"South Africa is a constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land," Ramaphosa stated Monday on X, the social media platform.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump adviser, challenged Ramaphosa directly. "Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?" Musk posted on X.
Trump shared his position on Truth Social: "I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" He later told reporters South African leadership was "doing terrible things, horrible things."
South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola responded diplomatically. He expressed hope Trump's advisers would use "this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa's policies as a constitutional democracy."
The land reform issue remains central to South Africa's efforts to address historical injustices from the apartheid era. Government officials maintain the new law follows constitutional principles and aims to create a more equitable land distribution.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to halt funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country's recent land reform legislation and alleged mistreatment of certain groups.
The dispute centers on a new law signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa allowing land seizures without compensation under specific conditions. This legislation addresses longstanding inequalities in land ownership, with white farmers still controlling most agricultural land three decades after apartheid ended.
"South Africa is a constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land," Ramaphosa stated Monday on X, the social media platform.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump adviser, challenged Ramaphosa directly. "Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?" Musk posted on X.
Trump shared his position on Truth Social: "I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" He later told reporters South African leadership was "doing terrible things, horrible things."
South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola responded diplomatically. He expressed hope Trump's advisers would use "this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa's policies as a constitutional democracy."
The land reform issue remains central to South Africa's efforts to address historical injustices from the apartheid era. Government officials maintain the new law follows constitutional principles and aims to create a more equitable land distribution.
