South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remained confident in his country’s relationship with Trump, following his pledge to investigate alleged large-scale killings of white farmers amid the ongoing land expropriation policy.
BY PC Bureau
US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused South Africa of mistreating “certain classes of people” and announced that he would halt all future funding to the country until an investigation into the allegations is completed. Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain groups “very badly,” calling it a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION”. He emphasized that the United States would not tolerate such actions and would act accordingly.
Trump said, “Terrible things are happening in South Africa. The leadership are doing horrible things. The leadership is doing terrible things which are under investigation. They are taking land, confiscating land. And they are doing things which are far worse than that.”
Following Trump’s election victory, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the country’s relationship with the US president. Ramaphosa mentioned that he had spoken to Trump after the election and looked forward to working with his administration. During his first term, Trump had pledged to investigate allegations of large-scale killings of white farmers and violent land takeovers in South Africa. In 2018, he instructed then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “closely study” the issue.
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Trump has ordered that ALL form of funding SA gets from USA be stopped immediately until he concludes investigation to the killing of white farmers, land grabs belonging to whites and other issues.
The newly signed Land Expropriation Bill made him mad. pic.twitter.com/i8DIYqkvGt
— Azania (@azania1023) February 3, 2025
The allegations of targeted killings of white farmers are linked to South Africa’s ongoing land redistribution efforts. The controversial policy of expropriating land without compensation has sparked debates and concerns about exacerbating racial tensions. The issue has gained significant international media attention, especially after claims of attacks on white farmers. Trump’s decision to cut aid to South Africa came a day after he announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China, escalating a trade war.
The background of this controversy lies in South Africa’s land expropriation policy, which allows the government to seize land without compensation in certain cases. This policy aims to address historical land inequalities stemming from the apartheid era, where land was predominantly owned by the white minority. Critics argue that this policy unfairly targets white landowners and could lead to economic instability, similar to what happened in Zimbabwe2.
BREAKING: President Trump has announced that he will be "cutting off all future funding to South Africa."
South Africa has been hijacked by radicals who have aligned with the Iranian Regime while raking in millions of American tax dollars. No longer! pic.twitter.com/JDs6Wfcsmb
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) February 2, 2025
The South African government insists that the policy is necessary for land reform and is being implemented in a fair and legal manner. They argue that the policy is not about arbitrary seizures but about addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity. The Expropriation Bill, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, allows public institutions to expropriate land in the public interest, subject to just and equitable compensation4.
The debate over land expropriation has been ongoing for years, with strong opinions on both sides. Some see it as a necessary step to rectify past injustices, while others fear it could lead to further division and economic challenges. The issue has received significant attention from the international media, especially after allegations of targeted killings of white farmers5.
Trump’s decision to cut aid to South Africa is part of his broader “America First” foreign policy, which has seen him reduce aid to several nations and focus on domestic priorities. The aid cut comes amid Trump’s broader trade war with Mexico, Canada, and China, which has raised concerns about the potential impact on global trade and economic stability7.
Trump announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, kicking off a trade war.
What Cases May Have Provoked Trump?
Instance |
Details |
Land Confiscation |
Allegation of South Africa is confiscating land without compensation, targeting white farmers2. |
Human Rights Violations |
Trump accuses South Africa of treating certain classes of people “very badly,” calling it a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION”2. |
Targeted Killings |
Allegations of large-scale killings of white farmers linked to South Africa’s land redistribution efforts2. |
Economic Impact |
Trump’s decision to cut aid to South Africa comes amid broader trade tensions with Mexico, Canada, and China2. |
