Pretoria: The South African government says it remains committed to finding diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes arising from the recently promulgated Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 and other policies. This comes in response to United States President Donald Trump’s Executive Order titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” which calls for several restrictive measures against South Africa.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Executive Order mandates that the United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa and promotes the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping alleged government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including property confiscation. Furthermore, all U.S. executive departments and agencies are instructed to halt foreign aid to South Africa, unless deemed necessary or appropriate by the agency head.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern over the Order, stating that it lacks factual accuracy and does not recognize South Africa’s history of colonialism and apartheid. Lamola emphasized South Africa’s commitment to diplomatic solutions and criticized the misinformation campaign he believes is influencing U.S. decision-makers. He also highlighted the irony in offering refugee status to a privileged group in South Africa while vulnerable individuals in the U.S. face deportation.
The Expropriation Act, which underwent extensive public consultation and parliamentary deliberation, aligns with the South African Constitution. It allows for land expropriation in the public interest with just compensation. President Cyril Ramaphosa clarified that the Act is a constitutionally mandated process for equitable land access, not a confiscation tool. He expressed willingness to engage with the Trump administration to foster mutual understanding on land reform and bilateral interests.