South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied US President Donald Trump’s allegations that his government was “confiscating land” and mistreating White farmers. Ramaphosa stressed that South Africa is a constitutional democracy committed to the rule of law, justice, and equality, and dismissed claims that land has been confiscated. He noted that while the United States is an important strategic partner, its financial support to Pretoria is limited to the HIV/AIDS relief program. Ramaphosa explained that the new land expropriation law, signed in January, is designed to ensure equitable access to land rather than serve as an instrument of confiscation. He welcomed further engagement with the Trump administration on these bilateral issues. Ramaphosa’s statement comes after Trump threatened to cut off funding to South Africa until allegations of land confiscation were investigated.
Source: CNN