South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to a threat from US President Donald Trump to cut off aid over alleged mistreatment of White farmers, denying Trump's claim that the South African government was "confiscating land."

In a post on X, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, committed to the rule of law, justice, and equality, and clarified that the government has not confiscated any land. He expressed eagerness to discuss South Africa's land reform policy and bilateral issues with the Trump administration, noting that, while the US is a vital strategic partner, it contributes little beyond a major HIV/AIDS relief program.

Trump's threat came after a post on Truth Social, where he accused South Africa of land confiscation and mistreatment of certain people, urging a full investigation. This complaint, first raised during his 2018 presidency, is tied to South Africa’s ongoing land reform efforts, a legacy of the apartheid era when Black and non-White South Africans were forcibly displaced to make way for White landowners.

Since the end of apartheid and the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa’s constitution has included provisions for land redistribution and restitution. However, poverty and unemployment remain widespread, particularly among Black South Africans, who make up about 80% of the population but own a minimal share of land.

In January, Ramaphosa signed a bill into law that outlines new guidelines for land expropriation, allowing the government to seize land without compensation in some cases. However, he clarified in his post that this law is not intended as a tool for land confiscation but as a legal process ensuring fair and just public access to land in line with constitutional principles.

Despite this, constitutional protections against uncompensated expropriation remain in place, and experts predict legal challenges if the government moves forward with implementing the policy.