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In a surprise turn during a scheduled diplomatic meeting at the White House yesterday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa found himself unexpectedly challenged by former U.S. President Donald Trump over longstanding allegations of farm seizures and violence in South Africa.
What began as a routine bilateral meeting focused on trade and regional security quickly took a sharp turn when Trump, now returned to office, questioned Ramaphosa about claims that the South African government is confiscating farmland from white owners and that white farmers are being killed in large numbers.
Cameras were briefly allowed in before the private discussion, but sources inside the room say the tone quickly shifted. “It felt more like a set-up than a summit,” said one diplomat familiar with the meeting. “Trump pressed Ramaphosa repeatedly on land reform, quoting reports that have circulated among conservative media and online.”
Trump is said to have referred to video clips he previously shared in 2018, alleging state-sanctioned land seizures and murders. “Isn’t it true your government is taking land without compensation?” he reportedly asked, before producing printed screenshots from an American news website.
President Ramaphosa, according to those present, responded firmly but diplomatically. He reiterated that South Africa’s land reform process is legal, transparent, and aimed at correcting historical injustice, not targeting any racial group. “There is no state policy of confiscation. There is no campaign of killing,” he reportedly said. “We are a constitutional democracy.”
What Are the Facts?
The idea that the South African government is confiscating farms and killing white farmers is not supported by credible evidence.
South Africa has indeed debated constitutional changes to allow for expropriation of land without compensation, but no large-scale confiscations have occurred. The goal of land reform is to redistribute property in a country where, under apartheid, the vast majority of land was held by white South Africans. The reforms are controversial but have so far followed legal procedures.
As for farm murders, both black and white farmers have been victims of violent crime in South Africa. According to data from the South African Police Service and independent research groups, the murder rate for farmers is high compared to the general population, but there is no official evidence that killings are racially or politically motivated.
In 2018, the U.S. Embassy in South Africa said it had “no reason to believe that there is a deliberate campaign” against white farmers. The claim that such killings amount to genocide has been widely debunked by independent fact-checkers including Africa Check, BBC Reality Check, and Human Rights Watch.
Fallout from the Meeting
Following the meeting, Ramaphosa’s team released a restrained statement saying the leaders had “a frank exchange of views” and affirmed their commitment to continued dialogue. Trump, meanwhile, posted on his social media platform that he had “confronted the South African president with the truth the fake media won’t report.”
The diplomatic fallout is still unclear. Analysts say the Oval Office moment may play well to Trump’s base but could strain U.S.–South Africa relations if not carefully managed.
Following the Oval Office meeting, President Ramaphosa addressed the media, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to constitutional democracy and nonracialism. He stated: “We remain committed to addressing our country’s challenges through democratic means and dialogue, ensuring that all South Africans, regardless of race, feel safe and valued.”
“It’s political theatre for Trump, but it puts Ramaphosa in a tight spot,” said one unnamed commentator in Johannesburg. “No one likes being called a liar to their face in front of the cameras.”
Sources: BBC, CNN, News agencies.
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