The South African government has rejected US President Donald Trump’s accusation that land is being confiscated in the country.

This comes after Trump warned that he would cut off all funding to South Africa until a full investigation into the matter is completed.

Trump made the claims on his social media platform Truth Social. He posted:

“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. 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!”

President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded in a statement, denying that the recently signed Expropriation Act is a tool to confiscate land, but is a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.

“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners. 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 also affirmed that the US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa, while clarifying the role US funding plays.

“With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIVAids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.”

Earlier on X, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola also called on Trump to obtain a better understanding of South Africa’s policies.

“We trust that President Trump’s advisors will leverage this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s policies as a constitutional democracy. Such insights will ensure a respectful and informed approach to our democratic commitments.”

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