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 as United States President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order – titled Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa – ordering, in the main, that as a result of the Act:
- The United States shall not provide aid or assistance to South Africa
- The United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation
- All executive departments and agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development, shall, to the maximum extent allowed by law, halt foreign aid or assistance delivered or provided to South Africa, and shall promptly exercise all available authorities and discretion to halt such aid or assistance.
- The head of each agency may permit the provision of any such foreign aid or assistance that, in the discretion of the relevant agency head, is necessary or appropriate.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said government had noted the order.
“It is of great concern that the foundational premise of this order lacks factual accuracy and fails to recognise South Africa’s profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid.
“We reiterate that South Africa remains committed to finding diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes,” he said.
Furthermore, Lamola said government expresses concern over “what seems to be a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation”.
“It is disappointing to observe that such narratives seem to have found favour among decision-makers in the United States of America.
“It is ironic that the executive order makes provision for refugee status in the US for a group in South Africa that remains amongst the most economically privileged, while vulnerable people in the US from other parts of the world are being deported and denied asylum despite real hardship,” Lamola said.
The Expropriation Act
The Expropriation Act states that property may not be expropriated arbitrarily or for a purpose other than a public purpose or in the public interest.
The Expropriation Act, which underwent a five-year public consultation process, was deliberated in Parliament, and is in line with the South African Constitution.
The Act repeals the Expropriation Act of 1975 and allows for the State to expropriate land in the public interest – subject to just and equitable compensation.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa in a media statement emphasised that the 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 statement said. – SAnews.gov.za
