South Africa is fighting back at comments made by US President Donald Trump on the country’s land reform program.
The government is currently discussing a policy of having lands returned to their original owners without compensation.
The ongoing conversation on land reforms became necessary following revelation that 72% of farm land is owned by whites.
Then the coloureds (people of mixed race) at 15%, Indians at 5% and blacks at 4%.
‘Misinformed Trump’
Donald Trump claims the South African government is engaged in “farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers”
On Thursday he tweeted that he has asked his secretary of state to look into the matter of “seizing land from white farmers”.
I have asked Secretary of State @SecPompeo to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers. “South African Government is now seizing land from white farmers.” @TuckerCarlson @FoxNews
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2018
The ownership of land has become controversial after the end of apartheid regime. The marginalized black South Africans demanded a return of their lands.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa says his ruling party the African National Congress (ANC) will back an amendment to the country’s Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.
Mr. Trump shortly after watching a report air on Fox news in the US on the issue concluded that the South African government is engaged in seizure of lands from white farmers.
South Africa responds
But South Africa’s presidential spokeswoman says Mr Trump was “misinformed” on the issue.
In a tweet the government said “South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial past.”
South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial past. #landexpropriation @realDonaldTrump @PresidencyZA
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) August 23, 2018
South Africa’s parliament in February adopted a motion seeking to amend the country’s Constitution. That was to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.
The motion was brought by the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema. It received 241 in support, and 83 against.
The country’s Constitutional Review Committee has been working on the land reform process. It is to report back to Parliament by August 30.
Source: Africafeeds.com
