Lamola to continue to engage US on SA's laws after Rubio's false expropriation claims
Similar to a post from his president, Donald Trump, on Sunday, US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, alleged that South Africa was 'doing very bad things' and that its G20 theme was a misnomer.
FILE: International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola during a briefing on 12 August 2024. Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says he will continue to engage the US on South Africa's laws after US secretary of state Marco Rubio falsely claimed the arbitrary expropriation of private property.
Rubio posted on his page on X that he won’t be attending the G20 foreign leaders meeting in Johannesburg in two weeks' time.
Similar to a post from his president, Donald Trump, on Sunday, Rubio alleged that South Africa was "doing very bad things" and that its G20 theme was a misnomer.
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In a post on X, Rubio criticised South Africa's G20 theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability, saying it's a reference to diversity, equity and inclusion, and climate change.
I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025
South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change.
My job is to advance America’s national interests, not…
Rubio went on to say that his job was to advance America's national interests, not to waste taxpayer money nor to "coddle anti-Americanism".
Lamola said he had noted the X post and has once again moved to dispel claims of arbitrary land or property dispossession.
He pointed out that the US had its own expropriation law, referred to as eminent domain.
Lamola's spokesperson Chrispin Phiri: "Our G20 presidency is not confined to just climate change, but also equitable treatment for nations of the global south, ensuring we have an equal global system for all. These are important principles that we remain open to pursue and engage the United States on."
The US is to assume the G20 presidency from South Africa for next year.
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In his State of the Nation Address on Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to outline government’s intentions following the enactment of the Expropriation Act in January.
The act replaces a 50-year-old expropriation law making provision for the expropriation of property in the public interest.