The DA, South Africa's second-largest party in the coalition government, argues that the Expropriation Act is unconstitutional and that no democratic government should possess the authority to expropriate property without compensation. They expressed that President Cyril Ramaphosa acted contrary to their recommendations when signing the law. Historically, land ownership remains a sensitive topic in South Africa, as the majority of farmland is still controlled by white individuals, decades after apartheid ended.

The DA highlighted the risks of unchecked governmental powers to take land, recalling similar abuses under apartheid. They emphasized the need for property rights safeguards for all citizens, stressing that genuine land reform should not infringe upon ownership rights. The ANC, in its defense, stated that land seizures will only occur in exceptional cases, primarily for public use, and only after exhausting all other options.

Trump's recent executive order condemned the practices occurring in South Africa, framing them as human rights violations and vowing to halt aid until they cease. The US has suggested plans to resettle white South African farmers in the US, citing humanitarian concerns. In light of this escalating situation, President Ramaphosa plans to dispatch envoys to clarify the government's policy changes, including the newly enacted Expropriation Act.