CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced a decision to cease all funding to South Africa due to what he describes as a human rights violation. This move appears to echo Elon Musk’s unsubstantiated claims over the years that authorities in his country of origin are biased against white individuals and even promoting violence against them. Trump criticized the leadership in South Africa on Sunday, alleging that “terrible things are happening” without specifying details. He claimed that land is being taken away and confiscated, suggesting actions that are potentially more severe. Although Trump’s exact references were unclear, he seemed to be alluding to a recent South African law granting the government authority to expropriate land in certain circumstances.
The Expropriation Act, signed into law by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, enables the government to acquire land that is not being utilized or could benefit the public interest through redistribution. The legislation seeks to address the injustices of South Africa’s apartheid era when Black individuals were stripped of their land and segregated into designated areas.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Ramaphosa refuted the claims stating that no land confiscation had occurred and expressed a willingness to engage with the Trump administration on the matter. Musk, a close associate of Trump, has previously raised concerns about the law on social media, portraying it as a threat to South Africa’s white minority.
Musk had accused the South African government in 2023 of allowing a “genocide” against white farmers. While the killings have been condemned, experts emphasize that there is no evidence of genocide, attributing the violence to the country’s high crime rates, particularly related to farm robberies.
Three decades after the end of apartheid, white individuals in South Africa generally enjoy a higher standard of living compared to Black citizens, as indicated by poverty statistics. A study by the South African Human Rights Commission found that 64% of Black individuals live in poverty, in contrast to 1% of white individuals. Despite progress, racial disparities persist, with white individuals comprising a small percentage of the population yet owning a significant portion of the land.
The new land law has faced criticism within South Africa, with civic organizations representing white interests and certain political parties planning to challenge it in court. The law allows land to be acquired without compensation in specific cases, prompting concerns and legal opposition.
South Africa grapples with deep-rooted socio-economic challenges that continue to impact its diverse population.
Despite a challenging history of nearly half a century of apartheid, South Africa has managed to transition into a stable democracy, dispelling misconceptions of it being a country rife with racial tensions. However, concerns arise over the potential impact of President Trump’s actions on the nation. Trump’s comments on his Truth Social platform indicating that certain classes of people in South Africa are being mistreated have raised uncertainty about the future of U.S. funding to the country. This funding, amounting to approximately $400 million annually, primarily supports South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). South Africa’s participation in PEPFAR was already under threat due to Trump’s freeze on global aid. Additionally, there is apprehension that Trump may consider removing South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade agreement that grants tariff-free access to the U.S. market for South Africa and other African nations. Trump’s previous imposition of tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico adds to the uncertainty surrounding South Africa’s trade relations with the United States. The country awaits further developments amid potential shifts in U.S. policies toward South Africa. For more updates on the Trump administration, visit https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump.
