News Brief
US president Donald Trump (File Photo)
US President Donald Trump announced on 2 February, that he would halt all future US funding to South Africa, citing concerns over land confiscation and the alleged mistreatment of certain groups, reported The Hindu.
"South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY," Trump stated in a Truth Social post, quoted as saying by The Hindu.
He further declared, “The United States won’t stand for it, we will act. Also, I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, however, appeared unconcerned about potential tensions with the Trump administration. Speaking in January 2025, Ramaphosa revealed that he had spoken to Trump after his election victory and was optimistic about maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
During his first term as president, Trump had expressed concern over alleged large-scale killings of white farmers in South Africa, as well as reports of violent land takeovers.
The latest development marks another flashpoint in US-South Africa relations.