South Africa Rejects US Human Rights Report as “Deeply Flawed”
South Africa has strongly rejected a US State Department report claiming the country’s human rights situation “significantly worsened” in 2024, calling it inaccurate and misleading. The report repeated controversial claims by President Donald Trump about unlawful land seizures and violence against Afrikaners—allegations South Africa dismisses as baseless. Pretoria accused Washington of relying on discredited sources and ignoring South Africa’s constitutional realities. The rebuke comes amid strained relations since Trump’s return to office and ongoing trade tensions, with South Africa facing a 30% tariff on its exports to the US. Analysts note the report’s timing—during delicate negotiations—appears politically charged, as it also singles out Brazil while avoiding criticism of some of Washington’s key allies.
Bloomberg
