South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reached out to South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk in a bid to defuse escalating tensions with the United States President Donald Trump.
The move comes after Trump threatened to cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that the country’s new land law is confiscating land and treating white people very badly.
Trump’s comments were made on Sunday and he vowed to halt aid until a full investigation is completed.
Musk, who has been critical of the South African government’s land policies, echoed Trump’s sentiments on social media, accusing Ramaphosa of having “openly racist ownership laws”.
Musk’s comments have added fuel to the controversy surrounding South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which allows the government to expropriate land in specific instances without compensation.
According to the Presidency, Ramaphosa president spoke to Musk to address misinformation and distortions about South Africa.
“In the process, the President reiterated South Africa’s constitutionally embedded values of the respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness and equality,” Ramaphosa’s office said late Tuesday.
The US provides significant aid to South Africa, including funding for HIV/AIDS programmes and other developmental projects.
Trump’s threat to cut funding has raised concerns about the potential impact on these programs and the broader relationship between the two countries.
Ramaphosa’s office has emphasised that the Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument but a constitutionally mandated legal process aimed at ensuring public access to land in an equitable and just manner.
JN/APA