DONALD Trump has lashed out at South Africa's new land seizures, announcing the US will keep a close eye on the expropriation law which takes land away from white farmers.
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| South Africa seizures: Donald Trump has announced he will keep a close eye on South Africa |
Mr Trump has ordered Mr Pompeo to "closely study" South Africa's move, also claiming white farmers had been killed in their masses.
No deaths have been reported since the law came into effect, though vengeance violence was reported in previous years.
In 2017-18, 47 farmers were killed, according to statistics compiled by AgriSA, with an increasing rise on the number of attacks on farms.
Mr Trump said on Twitter: "I have asked Secretary of State @SecPompeo to closely study the South Africa land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers.”
Speaking about Mr Trump's tweet, South African communications minister Nomvula Mokonyane told reporters today: "The tweet has not determined our approach to the United States on our current relationship and future relationship."
However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hit back at Mr Trump's comments, insisting the US president was "misinformed" about the situation in South Africa.
He said: "The presidency has noted Trump's tweet, which is misinformed in our view.
"We will take up the matter through diplomatic channels."
Yesterday, South Africa's government said Mr Trump sought to "divide" South Africa and bring it back to its "colonial" rule.
The South African government wrote on Twitter: "South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial past. #landexpropriation @realDonaldTrump @PresidencyZA"
Shortly after, they added: "South Africa will speed up the pace of land reform in a careful and inclusive manner that does not divide our nation. #landexpropriation @realDonaldTrump @PresidencyZA"
Mr Trump's tweet appeared to have been prompted by a segment on Fox News which aired on Wednesday night, with the US President tagging both the TV station and host Tuck Carlson in his tweet.
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| South Africa farm seizures: Thousands of farmers expressed their concerns over expropriation plans |
Mr Carlson spoke about South Africa's land seizures, where the government announced new plans to expropriate from white farmers.
On Tuesday, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the ruling African National Congress would forge ahead plans to take away white people's land with no compensation costs, which will then be distributed to black people.
Nearly 72 percent of land in South Africa is owned by white farmers, but only 8 percent of the country's 56 million population is white, according to the Land Audit Report.
A law proposed in 1913, called the Native Lands Act, made it illegal for South Africans to acquire land beyond their reserves, known as "Homelands".
Since apartheid ended almost one-tenth of land owned by white farmers has been transferred to black people, reaching only one third of the government's target.
Mr Trump is the latest world leader to hit out at South Africa's newly announced expropriation policies.
In March this year, Peter Dutton, then home affairs minister for Australia said white farmers in South Africa "deserve special attention" from Australia and that his department would fast-track visas from them.
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