The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned what it refers to as a misinformation campaign orchestrated by lobby group AfriForum which is now being amplified by US President Donald Trump.
This after Trump threatened to cut-off aid to South Africa, over the implementation of the Expropriation Act.
In a statement the ANC said Trump’s recent tweet is echoing AfriForum’s false claims of land confiscation and is a direct result of the lobby group’s ongoing efforts to mislead the global community and protect apartheid-era land ownership patterns.
“AfriForum has long positioned itself as a defender of white minority privilege, using fear mongering to undermine South Africa’s constitutional and lawful land reform programme,” read the statement.
In addition, the party said AfriForum’s campaign is not about justice but about blocking economic transformation and maintaining an oppressive status quo.
“AfriForum’s lobbying efforts in the US and other countries have deliberately misrepresented South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which is a fair, constitutional mechanism aimed at reversing historical land dispossession.
By weaponizing misinformation, they have emboldened some, who have no understanding of South Africa’s democratic processes but are quick to perpetuate racist narratives,” added the statement.
The ANC warned that it is unacceptable that AfriForum continues to seek external intervention against a sovereign country’s domestic policies that are necessary to address the legacy of land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid.
The party called on all progressive forces locally and internationally to stand with South Africa in its pursuit of justice, equality and meaningful land reform.
The statement emphasised that President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to engaging with international partners on issues of mutual interest and that it “won’t tolerate racist distortions aimed at undermining the national sovereignty and transformation agenda.”