AgriSA Rejects Trump’
By Mpho Moloi
AgriSA has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s social media claim that South Africa is “confiscating land” and “treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.” The agricultural advocacy group has reiterated that no land has been seized or expropriated without compensation, urging both local and international stakeholders to rely on facts rather than political rhetoric.
The controversy erupted after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act into law on 23 January 2025. Trump’s statement, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, alleged that South Africa’s government was unlawfully taking land from farmers, sparking diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé responded forcefully on Friday, warning that the misleading narrative surrounding land expropriation is damaging the investment climate in South Africa’s agricultural sector.
AgriSA: No Land Confiscation Has Taken Place
Kotzé dismissed Trump’s claim outright, stating:
“To be clear, no seizures or confiscations of private property have taken place. Nor has any land been expropriated without compensation. Isolated cases of land grabs and trespassing have been dealt with appropriately by law enforcement. Additionally, rumours linking farm murders to the signing of the act are baseless and irresponsible. Farmers remain productive and committed to their operations.”
AgriSA, which represents the interests of commercial farmers, has long engaged with policymakers to shape land reform laws, ensuring they balance economic growth with historical redress.
“The Expropriation Act remains subject to Section 25 of the Constitution, which has not been amended. Importantly, Section 25 requires that compensation be just and equitable, ensuring a fair balance between the public interest and the rights of affected property owners,” Kotzé said.
Trump’s Statement Ignites Diplomatic Row
The US President’s remarks sparked an immediate reaction from South African government officials, with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor calling the claims “reckless and uninformed.”
Trump, who has a history of contentious statements on South Africa, amplified his stance with South African-born billionaire Elon Musk adding fuel to the fire by alleging that South Africa has “racist ownership laws.” Musk, who has been an influential figure in Trump’s administration, accused the South African government of “discriminating against white landowners.”
South African officials strongly denied these claims, with President Cyril Ramaphosa directly addressing the controversy during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 6 February 2025:
“South Africa will not be bullied. Our land reform programme is guided by the Constitution and will be implemented responsibly to correct the injustices of the past while ensuring economic stability.”
The Expropriation Act: What It Actually Entails
The Expropriation Act provides a legal framework for land expropriation in the public interest but does not automatically result in land seizures without compensation. It includes a controversial “nil compensation” clause, which allows for expropriation without compensation under specific conditions, such as abandoned land, state-owned land, and properties used for speculative investment.
However, Kotzé reassured stakeholders that nil compensation is not the default outcome:
“Although the signed act explicitly allows for nil compensation in certain circumstances, this does not mean expropriation without compensation is inevitable. The principle of just and equitable compensation remains intact, requiring a careful evaluation of all relevant factors.”
Economic and Investment Implications
The agricultural sector is particularly concerned about the impact of the Act on investor confidence. AgriSA believes that uncertainty over land rights could deter international investment, negatively impacting food security and economic growth.
“For years, AgriSA has been actively involved in legislative developments impacting the agricultural sector. When amendments to the Expropriation Act No. 63 of 1975 were first proposed in the early 2000s to align it with the 1996 Constitution, AgriSA played a key role in discussions,” Kotzé explained.
The GOPA Group South Africa, an independent economic research firm, conducted an impact assessment, which highlighted that property rights are essential for capital formation, economic growth, and job creation.
Calls for Constitutional Clarity
In 2024, AgriSA formally urged President Ramaphosa to either return the bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration or consult the Constitutional Court regarding its constitutionality.
“Our appeal was based on ensuring that expropriation is legally sound, economically viable, and does not harm food production. We remain committed to monitoring the implementation of the law to ensure that private property rights remain protected under the Constitution,” Kotzé affirmed.
Washington’s Response: Threats to Cut PEPFAR Funding
In a further escalation, the US threatened to halt funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in South Africa. Trump indicated that South Africa’s alleged land expropriation policies required a “full review” before any further US financial aid was disbursed.
South African officials condemned the threat, arguing that it undermines vital public health programmes that have supported millions of HIV/AIDS patients across the country. The South African government is expected to lodge a formal complaint with the US State Department regarding the statements made by Trump.
Political Fallout and Ramaphosa’s Defense
Ramaphosa and his administration have defended the Expropriation Act, stating that it is not a confiscation instrument but a mechanism to address historical land injustices.
Government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya reaffirmed:
“Land reform is a constitutional imperative in South Africa, aimed at addressing the dispossession of black South Africans under colonial and apartheid rule. The Expropriation Act provides clear guidelines to prevent arbitrary land seizures and ensures all cases are subject to judicial review.”
What’s Next?
The South African government is expected to engage in diplomatic discussions with US officials to clarify the details of the Expropriation Act. Meanwhile, AgriSA will continue monitoring land reform policies to ensure they align with constitutional provisions.
As the controversy unfolds, business leaders, farmers, and legal experts are calling for calm and factual discourse rather than political sensationalism.
“We urge all stakeholders to rely on facts, not fearmongering. South Africa’s land reform must be guided by the law, economic realities, and national unity,” Kotzé concluded.
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