Ramaphosa Fires Back At Trump Over HIV/AIDS Funding
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has responded to United States’ President, Donald Trump’s threat to cut funding from the African country, stating that South Africa receives no funding from the US except for PEPFAR aid, which supports South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme.
President Trump had vowed to cut off all future funding to South Africa, citing concerns over “land expropriation and alleged discriminatory treatment” of some residents, particularly foreigners in the country.
Trump had mentioned this in a post shared on his Truth Social on Sunday after South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, signed an expropriation bill into law, allowing the government to seize land without compensation in certain cases.
The newly passed legislation in the country permits expropriation without compensation only in circumstances where it is “just and equitable and in the public interest” to do so.
This includes if the property is not being used and there is no intention to develop or profit from it or when it poses a risk to people.
Trump condemned the situation, stating that the country is “confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.”
He also accused the “Radical Left Media” of ignoring the issue, which he described as a “massive Human Rights VIOLATION”.
He had written, “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.”
In a statement issued on Monday morning, the South African President that his country is a constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality.
He clarified that his government has not confiscated any land as claimed by Donald Trump.
He claimed that the recently adopted Expropriation Act is a constitutionally mandated process aimed at ensuring public access to land in an equitable and just manner.
Ramaphosa noted that expropriation laws are not unique to South Africa, as many countries, including the US, have similar laws balancing public usage of land with property owners’ rights.
Ramaphosa expressed his willingness to engage with the Trump administration on land reform policy and bilateral issues, confident that these discussions will lead to a better understanding between the two nations.
He wrote: “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 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.
“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.
“The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States.
