Warning of dire consequences for SA as US funding dwindles

Analysts have warned of dire consequences for SA following threats by US President Donald Trump over land expropriation and "bad treatment of certain classes".

- Marizka Coetzer

Political analyst Daniel Silke said Trump simply added SA to a growing list of countries that were receiving his attention.

"There are specific issues brought to Trump's attention by those close to SA and his backers. His remarks reflect the views not necessarily of him, but of perhaps some of these backers and potentially Elon Musk," he said.

South African-born Musk endorsed Trump's post on X by re-posting it and wrote "true".

Silke said the threats to SA were real and would have a substantial impact on SA social service, trade, business and job creation.

Silke said there were valid concerns about the policy environment within SA, and those concerns were land expropriation and the potential to exploit the Bill in future and undermine property rights in SA.