South Africa's DA challenges expropriation law that prompted Trump to halt aid

On Monday, the Democratic Alliance, the junior partner in South Africa's governing coalition, lodged a court petition to overturn the Expropriation Act, a law that allows the state to acquire land for public purposes, sometimes without paying owners. The party claims the statute gives the government vague, sweeping authority that could deter investment, and it references the criticism from Donald Trump, who halted U.S. aid after the law’s passage.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the act into law in January 2025, presenting it as a milestone for redressing the disproportionate ownership of farmland by the white minority. The African National Congress, the senior coalition partner, maintains that the legislation is essential for economic transformation. The legal battle coincides with the run-up to November’s municipal elections and reflects ongoing tension within the coalition formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in 2024.

Analyst Sandile Swana described the proceedings as a “shadowboxing match” that allows both parties to contest land reform without breaking their alliance. Two additional lawsuits from Afrikaner interest groups will be heard alongside the DA’s case.