Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut foreign aid and impose sanctions on South Africa as offensive but says either way, South Africa will expropriate land without compensation.
Trump took to X on Monday commenting on the Expropriation Act that was passed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY. It is a bad situation that the Radical Left Media doesn't want to mention.
“A massive Human Rights VIOLATION, at a minimum, is happening for all to see. 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!” Trump wrote on X.
The signing of the Expropriation Act sparked outrage among citizens, including the international community.
Speaking at the media briefing on Monday, Malema said Trump’s statement surrendered South Africans to the will of imperialists, who use money to dictate the economic and policy direction of Africa.
“We want to make it categorically clear to the President of the USA that we are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so, and no threat will stop us.
“His misinterpretation of the Expropriation Act, which is a mild and cosmetic intervention, is an assessment of a measure that is going to be pursued through the amendment of our Constitution as South Africans, and there is nothing he can do to undermine our independence,” Malema said.
The EFF reiterated its position that they must build state capacity, to build a strong agricultural and industrial nation that will not depend on the West, and intensify trade relations with progressive nations.
Malema said it was time that South Africa must strengthen its relations with countries like Russia and China, which don't use their financial muscles to bully other countries into submission.
Meanwhile, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said: “We trust that President Trump's advisors will leverage this investigative period to deepen their understanding of South Africa's policies as a constitutional democracy.
"Such insights will ensure a respectful and informed approach to our democratic commitments.”
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