Synopsis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly denied claims from US President Donald Trump regarding land confiscation. He emphasized the Expropriation Act is a constitutional process ensuring equitable land access, not a seizure tool. The government seeks to engage Trump on land reform, highlighting that many nations have similar laws.Key Takeaways
- Ramaphosa rejects Trump's land confiscation claims.
- The Expropriation Act is a constitutional process.
- Calls for dialogue on land reform with Trump.
- International comparisons with US and UK laws.
- ANC urges support for South Africa's land reform.
Johannesburg, Feb 3 (NationPress) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday refuted remarks made by US President Donald Trump, emphasizing that the nation has not 'confiscated land.'
A statement from the South African Presidency clarified that the Expropriation Act is not intended for land seizure. Instead, it serves as a legally mandated process to ensure equitable access to land, aligned with the Constitution.
Ramaphosa's comments came in response to Trump's post on the social media platform Truth Social, where Trump stated, 'South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed.'
The President expressed eagerness for dialogue with Trump regarding South Africa's land reform, indicating a potential for shared understanding: 'We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest.'
Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, noted that the Expropriation Act is not unique, pointing out that countries like the United States and United Kingdom have similar laws allowing land expropriation for public interest.
'We want to emphasize that we are a constitutional democracy, and the expropriation law referenced is not an exception. Many nations have expropriation laws serving public interest and purpose,' Lamola stated in a video clip, as reported by Xinhua.
Meanwhile, African National Congress (ANC) Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri endorsed Ramaphosa's discussions with foreign leaders.
'The ANC will not tolerate distortions of facts that undermine our national sovereignty and transformation agenda. We urge all progressive forces, locally and globally, to reject AfriForum's divisive agenda and support South Africa in its quest for justice, equity, and meaningful land reform,' he asserted.
In January, Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law, enabling public institutions to expropriate land for the public interest. This new law repealed the pre-democratic Expropriation Act of 1975.
'Section 25 of the Constitution acknowledges expropriation as a vital mechanism for the state to acquire property for public purpose or interest, with just and equitable compensation,' the Presidency's statement highlighted. South Africa continues to address the repercussions of the 1913 Land Act, which dispossessed thousands of Black individuals of their land.
