South Africa has refuted that it is “confiscating” land unfairly, an accusation that United States President Donald Trump made, adding he plans to cut all funding for the country.
Without giving specifics or supporting evidence, Trump accused the South African government of “confiscating land” and treating “certain classes of people” badly.
As part of his “America First” agenda, the US president had already slapped billions of dollars in global funding with a temporary freeze on almost all foreign aid.
In order to address racial disparities in ownership, the state of South Africa passed a law requiring the state to seize land.
Trump stated on Truth Social that he would stop providing South Africa with any additional funding until a thorough investigation into this situation was finished.
Later, in a briefing with journalists, he accused South Africa’s leadership, without providing evidence or details, of doing “some terrible things, horrible things”.
We reacted by trusting President Trump’s advisers to use the investigative period to gain a thorough understanding of South Africa’s policies within the framework of a constitutional democracy, according to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
” It may become clear that our expropriation act is not exceptional, as many countries have similar legislation, “it added.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, also refuted claims that the government is evicting land.
We anticipate discussing bilateral issues of interest with the Trump administration in relation to our land reform policy. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters, “Ramaphosa said in a statement.
A constitutional democracy with a strong foundation in the principles of justice and equality, South Africa.
No other significant funding is provided to South Africa by the US, according to President Ramaphosa, besides the US Aid program for AIDS relief, PEPFAR.
South Africa’s constitutional democracy is deeply rooted in the principles of equality, justice, and rule of law. There is no land confiscated by the South African government.
The recently passed Expropriation Act is a constitutionally mandated legal instrument rather than a confiscation tool…
Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa but is now closely allied to Trump, replied to Ramaphosa, writing, without providing evidence:” Why do you have openly racist ownership laws? “
A bill that would make it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest to address racial disparities in land ownership after apartheid in 1994 was signed into law by Ramaphosa last month.
According to the government, the bill does not allow it to expropriate property arbitrarily, the landowner must reach an agreement.
Source: Aljazeera
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