South Africa hits back at Trump over land 'seizure' tweet

World
Europe

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to study South African "land and farm seizures" and "killing of farmers," prompting Pretoria to accuse Trump's tweet of having the "narrow perception" that is dividing their nation.

Screenshot from Trump's tweet

"South African Government is now seizing land from white farmers," Trump said on Twitter.

Screenshot from South African Government's tweet

"South Africa totally rejects this narrow perception which only seeks to divide our nation and reminds us of our colonial past," a tweet from South Africa's official government account said in response to Trump's comments.

Screenshot from South African Government's tweet

"South Africa will speed up the pace of land reform in a careful and inclusive manner that does not divide our nation," wrote the government in a second post.

South Africa's foreign ministry will seek clarification of Trump's comments from the US Embassy in Pretoria, President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson said, adding that Trump was "misinformed."

Trump’s tweet appeared to be a response to a Fox News report on Wednesday that focused on South Africa’s land issue and murders of white farmers, according to Reuters.

(Cover: File photo of US President Donald Trump /Reuters Photo)

(With inputs from agencies)