Trump to halt funding to South Africa, Ramaphosa responds
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US President Trump announces that the US will cut future funding to South Africa over alleged "land confiscation" and "mistreatment of certain groups."
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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters next to Air Force One after arriving back at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on February 2, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he would cut future funding to South Africa over accusations of land confiscation and the mistreatment of "certain groups of people."
"South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. It is a bad situation that the Radical Left Media doesn’t want to so much as mention. A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see," he said on his Truth Social platform.
Trump said the US will halt all funding to the country until a thorough investigation into the matter is completed.
"The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!" he wrote.
We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration: Ramphosa
In response to his comments, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he looked forward to engaging following the allegations.
Last month, Ramaphosa signed a bill into law that makes it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, despite objections from some parties within his coalition government.
"We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters," Ramaphosa said in a statement issued by the presidency.
"South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land."
The law aims to address racial disparities in land ownership that remain more than three decades after apartheid's end in 1994. Special conditions must be met before land can be expropriated, such as having long-time informal occupants, being unused and held purely for speculation, or being abandoned.
"The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution," Rampahosa added on Monday.
US double standards
It is worth stressing that Trump's decision to cut funding to South Africa over land confiscation and alleged mistreatment of certain groups stands in stark contrast to the US' longstanding support for the Israeli occupation, despite its ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, land confiscation, and documented human rights violations.
While Trump condemns South Africa’s actions as "a massive human rights violation," similar violations by the Israeli occupation, such as the demolition of Palestinian homes, forced evictions, and the expansion of illegal settlements, have not led to any significant US action or withdrawal of aid.
In fact, Trump has reversed Biden-era policies sanctioning Israeli settlers involved in attacks on Palestinian civilians and the confiscation of their homes.
While the US quickly seeks to impose consequences on South Africa, "Israel" continues to receive unwavering support, exposing a clear double standard.
