Cape Town – More than 100 parliamentarians from various countries have signed an open letter urging US President Donald Trump to revoke his executive order suspending all aid to South Africa.
The group condemned Trump’s decision, arguing that it punishes South Africa for pursuing its own policy objectives and undermines its sovereignty.
Trump’s order, issued on February 7, was justified by claims that South Africa discriminates against its white Afrikaner minority, particularly through the new Expropriation Act, and allegedly supports terrorism.
“South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“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.
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…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 2, 2025
Trump’s remarks came after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill that stipulates the government may, in certain circumstances, offer “nil compensation” for property it decides to expropriate in the public interest.
The MPs dismissed Trump’s accusations, saying that land reform is necessary to address historical inequalities, as white South Africans, who make up 8% of the population, control 72% of freehold farmland.
“President Trump’s 7 February order halts critical financial aid under the false pretense of protecting Afrikaners from ‘government-sponsored race-based discrimination’,” they wrote.
“In reality, Trump’s order marks a retaliation against South Africa for daring to pursue its self-determination at home and express its solidarities abroad.”
They added: “The proposed land reform is a necessary response to historic inequality: white South Africans — 8% of the population, control 72% of freehold farmland.
BREAKING 🇿🇦 More than 100 parliamentarians from around the world stand with the South African people against US President Donald Trump’s executive order, calling it “an assault on their right to self-determination.” pic.twitter.com/yQDrjnTNxD
— Progressive International (@ProgIntl) March 20, 2025
“Yet the US now seeks to weaponise aid for South Africa’s pursuit of social and economic justice in their own country.”
The parliamentarians argued that expropriation without compensation is a sovereign decision aimed at rectifying centuries of racial injustice, rather than an act of discrimination.
They also criticised the US for weaponising aid against South Africa’s efforts to achieve social and economic justice. They contended that the move echoes past US support for apartheid and amounts to interference in South Africa’s domestic affairs.
The decision has had severe consequences, particularly for HIV/Aids treatment programs, which rely on US aid.
The MPs warned that six million people could lose access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment, while 350,000 jobs and $7 billion in exports are at risk.
The economic fallout, they noted, extends beyond the health sector, affecting South Africa’s trade relations and overall economic stability.
The letter, coordinated by Progressive International and signed by figures such as former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, called on other governments to support South Africa’s public health initiatives and economic resilience.
The signatories emphasised the need for renewed international solidarity to defend South Africa’s right to self-determination and resist US pressure that seeks to dictate domestic policies in sovereign nations.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic row between Washington and Pretoria escalated last week with the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool.
The US State Department’s spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, on Monday defended the move, saying that Rasool’s repeated criticisms of US foreign policy and his public condemnation of Trump’s administration had made his position untenable.
Bruce further asserted that Rasool had engaged in “diplomatic conduct inconsistent with the norms of our bilateral relationship”.
“These remarks were unacceptable to the United States, not just to the president, but to every American. At the very least, what we should expect is a standard of basic respect — if you’re in a position that helps facilitate diplomatic relationships with another country,” she said, adding that ambassadors are expected to foster positive relations, not provoke tensions.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
