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Ramaphosa immediately pushed back against the accusations, saying there was no truth to the claims
News18
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting at the White House, accusing his country of failing to protect white farmers from violence.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, Trump asked his staff to dim the lights and play a video on a large screen.
The footage, shown in front of Ramaphosa and members of the global media, included clips of Black South Africans discussing land and crime issues, along with images Trump described as “burial sites.”
“People are fleeing South Africa for their own safety,” Trump claimed during the meeting. “land is being confiscated and in many cases they’re being killed.” At one point, Trump showed a video of a South African communist politician singing a controversial anti-apartheid song that includes lyrics about killing farmers.
Ramaphosa immediately pushed back against the accusations, saying there was no truth to the claims. The South African president, who had hoped to use the meeting to strengthen diplomatic ties, responded firmly: “We are completely opposed to that,” he said, referring to the behaviour Trump alleged.
The meeting comes amid growing diplomatic tension. Experts say the relationship between the US and South Africa is now at its lowest point since the days of apartheid, the system of racial segregation that ended in 1994.
Security analysts in South Africa have consistently stated that there is no evidence to support the claim that white farmers are being specifically targeted for attacks. Violent home invasions do occur, but they affect farmers of all races in a country struggling with high crime rates.
(With inputs from agencies)
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
- First Published:
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