US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to halt all future funding to South Africa due to allegations of land confiscation and the mistreatment of specific groups of people.
Land ownership in South Africa remains a source of contention, particularly with white individuals owning a majority of private farmland even 30 years after the end of apartheid.
Calls persist for the government to address historic injustices related to racial segregation and implement land reform measures.
Trump pointed out that the main US funding to South Africa was through the health initiative Pepfar, representing around "17% of South Africa's HIV/Aids program".
US government reports indicate that South Africa received approximately $440 million in assistance in 2023.
Elon Musk, a South African-born Trump advisor, has also weighed in on the issue, stating that the new law discriminates against white individuals.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump declared, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!
In a subsequent briefing with journalists, he criticized South Africa's leadership for engaging in "terrible things, horrible things", indicating an ongoing investigation into the matter.
The new law permits expropriation without compensation only under specific circumstances deemed "just and equitable" and in the public interest.
This departure from the previous "willing seller, willing buyer" framework is seen by some as a step to expedite land reform, although concerns echo fears of adverse effects similar to those experienced in Zimbabwe.
AfriForum, an organization advocating for the rights of white Afrikaners, urges the government to amend the law to safeguard property rights but disagrees with Trump's funding cut threat, suggesting measures be targeted at ANC leaders instead of South Africans.
The ANC, led by President Ramaphosa, currently governs South Africa in coalition with various smaller parties.
This is not the first time Trump has criticized South Africa, having previously directed the US Secretary of State to investigate "farm seizures and expropriations" and violence against farmers, which South Africa deemed as misinformation.