Donald Trump Accuses South Africa Of 'Human Rights Violations'; Suspends Aid, Demands Probe

On Sunday, former US President Donald Trump accused South Africa of mistreating "certain classes of people" and announced that he would halt all future funding to the country until an investigation into the allegations was completed.

"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 so much as 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 stated on his Truth Social platform.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

Following Trump's election victory, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa assured that he was not concerned about his country's relationship with the US leader. He also revealed last week that he had spoken to Trump after the election and was looking forward to working with his administration.

During his first term in office, Trump had vowed to examine claims of large-scale killings of white farmers and violent land seizures in South Africa.

In 2018, he stated that he had instructed his then-Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to "closely study" the issue. "South Africa is now implementing a land expropriation without compensation, a very dangerous path!" Trump had warned at the time.

Allegations of targeted killings of white farmers stem from South Africa's ongoing land redistribution efforts. The controversial policy of expropriating land without compensation has sparked debates, with many fearing it could heighten racial tensions. The issue has gained significant international media attention amid claims of attacks on white farmers.

Trump's decision to cut aid to South Africa comes just a day after he announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China, escalating an ongoing trade war.