Legal Challenge to South Africa's Land Seizure Law Sparks US Tensions

Tue Nov 18 2025 03:31:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Democratic Alliance's lawsuit against a contentious land seizure law in South Africa escalates diplomatic friction with the United States.

The Democratic Alliance has filed a legal challenge against South Africa's new Expropriation Act, which allows for government seizure of private land without compensation. The law has drawn international attention, particularly from US President Trump, who has frozen aid to the country, citing concerns over property rights and alleged rights violations. The ANC government defends the legislation as necessary for addressing historical injustices in land ownership.

A legal battle is brewing in South Africa as the Democratic Alliance (DA), a significant player in the ruling coalition, challenges the newly enacted Expropriation Act in court. This controversial law permits the South African government to confiscate private land without offering compensation under specific circumstances.

The law has drawn international scrutiny and condemnation, particularly from US President Donald Trump, leading him to suspend foreign aid to South Africa, accusing the government of unjustly seizing land. In response, South African officials have labeled Trump's remarks as part of a "campaign of misinformation" that misrepresents their nation.

Under the current political landscape, the ANC, which leads the coalition government composed of ten parties, has faced backlash after losing its parliamentary majority in May's general election for the first time in 30 years. The ongoing debate surrounding land ownership remains a heated topic, given that a significant portion of farmland is still predominantly owned by white individuals, decades after the end of apartheid.

The DA argues that allowing the government to seize property without compensation undermines democratic principles and echoes policies from the apartheid era that forcibly removed indigenous communities from their land. They believe safeguarding property rights for all citizens is essential to prevent a repeat of past injustices.

In their recent statement, the DA expressed concern over Trump's decreased funding for South Africa. However, the ANC reassured the public that land seizures would only occur in exceptional situations, such as for public use after exhausting all other options.

Trump's executive order, issued over the weekend, not only suspended aid but also called for a humanitarian response plan to resettle Afrikaners, mostly white descendants from early European settlers, as refugees in the US. In light of these developments, President Ramaphosa is taking steps to clarify the government's stance on land reform and the Expropriation Act to other nations.