DIRCO remains open to using diplomatic channels to address false human rights claims by US
This follows the release of the 2024 country reports on human rights practices, which echoed some of US President Donald Trump’s previous criticism.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry south west Scotland on 28 July 2025. Picture: Christopher Furlong/POOL/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said it remains open to using diplomatic channels to address false claims of human rights violations in the country by the United States (US).
This follows the release of the 2024 country reports on human rights practices, which echoed some of US President Donald Trump’s previous criticism.
The 21-page report claims the Land Expropriation Act has significantly worsened the human rights situation since it was signed into law last year.
It further makes unfounded claims of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest or detention and the repression of racial minorities.
DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the report cannot go unchallenged.
“The report's reliance on a-contextual information and discredited accounts is highly concerning. We find the report to be an inaccurate and deeply flawed account that fails to reflect the reality of our constitutional democracy.”