Why AfriForum's Support For Trump's Claims Has Sparked Outrage In South Africa

Holifil

31 Mar, 2025

South Africans are accusing AfriForum of treason after the group supported Donald Trump's claims about land confiscation.
Trump claimed that the South African government was seizing land, leading to tensions between the U.S. and South Africa.
AfriForum has also suggested appealing to Trump to impose penalties on senior ANC leaders.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel and his organization have faced backlash for endorsing Donald Trump's allegations about South Africa. Image: @Powerfm987/ Yuliia Kaveshnikova Source: Getty Images

Let me tell you what's going on right now in South Africa. There's a growing sense of frustration among South Africans toward AfriForum, a civil rights organization, after it backed Donald Trump's recent statements. Trump claimed that South Africa was engaging in land confiscation and mistreating specific groups of people. This has sent shockwaves through the country, with many people questioning AfriForum’s motives and whether they’re acting in the best interest of South Africa.

Here's the deal: Trump didn’t provide much evidence to back up his claims, but it seems to be tied to the Expropriation Bill, which has been a controversial topic in South Africa. This isn’t the first time Trump has made threats against South Africa either. Back on December 1, 2024, he threatened to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS member nations, including South Africa. So, there's a pattern here, and AfriForum’s alignment with Trump has only added fuel to the fire.

AfriForum Faces Backlash Amid Trump's Threats

AfriForum, a prominent civil rights organization, has come under intense scrutiny following Trump's threats. The organization actually supported Trump's investigation into South Africa’s alleged land confiscation practices. This has caused a lot of controversy, with many South Africans accusing AfriForum of spreading misinformation and exaggerating the situation.

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AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has gone as far as to suggest that the U.S. government should target specific leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) rather than punishing the entire country. This stance has not gone over well with the public, to say the least. Many are asking whether AfriForum’s actions cross the line into treasonous behavior.

AfriForum Engages in Dialogue with the U.S.

Following Trump’s threats, AfriForum confirmed that it was in discussions with the U.S. government about the situation in South Africa. Ernst van Zyl, a representative of AfriForum, expressed relief that the international community was finally paying attention to the issues affecting South Africa. While this might sound reasonable, many South Africans see it differently.

The organization’s engagement with the U.S. has raised eyebrows, with critics arguing that AfriForum is undermining the sovereignty of South Africa. The backlash has been swift and severe, with people expressing their dissatisfaction through social media and public discourse.

Social Media Reactions: The Public Outcry

Social media has been ablaze with criticism directed at AfriForum. Many South Africans are furious about the organization’s decision to appeal to the U.S. government for intervention. Here’s a sampling of what people are saying:

@Mzo_honcho said:

“This is nothing short of treasonous behavior. Asking a foreign government to interfere in our domestic politics is unacceptable.”

@nnn_nsn asked:

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“Do you even understand what treason means? How can you ask a foreign entity to meddle in the affairs of a sovereign nation?”

@SiveXaluva added:

“AfriForum’s actions pose a direct threat to the South African government and its people. If this continues unchecked, it could have serious consequences. AfriForum needs to be held accountable.”

@AHT_YssY stated:

“You’re a traitor. Plain and simple.”

Neo Ntene chimed in:

“Any sanctions imposed on South Africa will affect everyone, including AfriForum and its supporters. They need to think about the bigger picture.”

@AshrafGarda questioned:

“Kallie, you’re asking a foreign country to discipline the leadership of another country. Do you really think Trump will stop there? Where does this end?”

@_Moipone added:

“Treason should be a punishable offense in South Africa. This kind of behavior cannot go unpunished.”

@WarrenRcomedian stated:

“As a white South African, I strongly denounce AfriForum and their false narratives. There’s no genocide against white people here. They’re dangerous opportunists who are exploiting fear for personal gain. We should hold their leaders accountable for treason.”

U.S. Reverses Decision on HIV Aid

In other news, there’s been a significant development regarding U.S. aid to South Africa. Initially, President Trump issued a directive to halt HIV treatment funding to low-income countries. This caused widespread concern, especially in South Africa, which has benefited significantly from the $7.5 billion program since 2003.

However, on January 29, the U.S. State Department announced that the ban would be lifted, at least temporarily. This has brought some relief to South Africa and other sub-Saharan African countries that rely on this vital funding. While the situation remains uncertain, the reversal is a positive step for now.