Thabiso Goba7 August 2025 | 4:46

Mbalula: ANC won't abandon BEE, Expropriation Act even if party leaders sanctioned by US govt

As of 7 August, all South African goods exported to the US will be slapped with a 30% tariff. While the sweeping tariffs are set to apply to a number of countries across the world, the ANC said it believed that South Africa was being punished for some of its legislation.

Mbalula: ANC won't abandon BEE, Expropriation Act even if party leaders sanctioned by US govt

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula addressed a media briefing on 6 August 2025. Picture: @MYANC/X

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) said it won’t abandon transformative policies like BEE and the Expropriation Act even if it means its leaders get sanctioned by the US government.

As of 7 August, all South African goods exported to the US will be slapped with a 30% tariff.

While the sweeping tariffs are set to apply to a number of countries across the world, at a media briefing on Wednesday, the ANC said it believed that South Africa was being punished for some of its legislation.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the South African government was using the Expropriation Act to seize land from white farmers.

In April, controversial Republican politician, Ronny Jackson, introduced a bill to congress that seeks to review the USA's relations with South Africa and sanction "corrupt" ANC officials.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that the Trump administration seemed intent on not engaging honestly.

"So it's to basically coerce us to do things that are anti-transformation. If it means we are going to suffer through sanctions, as leaders of the ANC, let it be. We will never back imperialists. We will never foresake our country for which we fought for its liberation."

Mbalula acknowledged that the US tariffs would have a huge negative impact on the country’s economy.