Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola says South Africa has noted with concern the comments by the President of the United States Donald Trump on the Expropriation Act.
It was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa a few weeks ago to deal with the long-standing issue of land in South Africa.
President Trump raised concerns about this Act, saying without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and “certain classes of people” were being treated “very badly.”
Lamola says Pretoria will engage Washington on the matter.
“We are a constitutional democracy and expropriation law that has been referenced to is not an exception. Many parts of the world do have expropriation laws that are used in the public interest and for public purposes. The government uses from time to time in the national interests and the public interest and this is what the law is about.”
US Correspondent Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports that Trump’s comments also raise concern about AGOA:
‘Trump’s comments offensive’
Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called President Trump’s threat to withdraw funding over the Expropriation Act offensive.
Malema directly addressed Trump during a media briefing in Johannesburg, saying that land will be expropriated.
“The statement by Donald Trump is offensive and undermines our sovereignty- and is a reminder that our reliance on foreign aid and foreign direct investment – surrenders us to the will of imperialists – who use money, to dictate the economic, and policy direction of Africa. We want to make it categorically clear to the President of the USA – that we are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so – and no threat will stop us.”
VIDEO| EFF leader Julius Malema brief media on recent developments.
