In a significant legal move, the Democratic Alliance (DA), a key player in South Africa's coalition government, has filed a challenge against the new Expropriation Act that allows for the government to seize private land without compensation in specific circumstances. This law has incited considerable discord, notably drawing the ire of former U.S. President Donald Trump who has responded by freezing foreign aid to the nation, asserting that land is already being confiscated.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC), which leads a coalition of ten parties, has rebuffed Trump’s accusations, describing them as a result of "misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation." Notably, this coalition came into power after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in last May's general elections for the first time in thirty years.
Land ownership remains a divisive issue in South Africa, where most agricultural land remains in white ownership, even three decades post-apartheid. The DA is vehemently opposed to the Expropriation Act, advocating for constitutional rights that guard against government property seizures without fair compensation. They argue that President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted this law against their counsel, underlining a historical precedence where the apartheid regime misused similar powers to displace native populations from their land.
In the wake of Trump's executive order that curtailed aid to South Africa, the DA expressed particular concern regarding the implications on funding. According to the ANC, no land is being seized without compensation at present; this action is limited to exceptional circumstances based on public necessity after exhausting alternatives.
The White House voiced intentions to create a rescue plan for South African farmers facing land seizure. Plans include prioritizing humanitarian assistance and resettlement for Afrikaners, predominantly descendants of early European settlers. In response to the legislation and resultant tensions, President Ramaphosa announced plans to engage with various nations to explain the government's position on the Expropriation Act, asserting their commitment to addressing land reform disputes.
