President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to US President Donald Trump after he threatened to cut funding for South Africa over the newly signed expropriation bill. Trump claimed in a tweet yesterday that the country was taking away land.

THREATS TO CUT OFF FUNDING FOR SA

When asked if he would if he was planning to cut aid to different African countries in an interview, Trump responded, "No, it's only South Africa; terrible things are happening in South Africa; the leadership is doing some terrible things, horrible things... so that's under investigation right now; we're making determinations and until we find out what South Africa is doing - they're taking away land, they're confiscating land, and actually they're doing things that are perhaps far worse than that.". Trump went on to tweet about the matter. "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!' 

READY TO ENGAGE 

President Ramaphosa has since hit back at Trump in a tweet and said the South African government has not confiscated any land. He said the country was ready to engage over the matter and reach a common understanding. "South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution. South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners,' Ramaphosa said. He added that he was looking forward to engaging with the Trump administration over South African land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. "We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters. The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa's HIV/Aids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States,' he concluded.