Image Source: Chimp Reports
World – Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk called for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to be sanctioned and declared an international criminal.
This followed a video in which Malema accused certain political parties of supporting only its white leaders and advocated targeting “whiteness” in political struggles. In response to this, Musk accused Malema of deliberately calling for the genocide of white South Africans.
“So these people, when you want to hit them hard, go for a white man. They feel a terrible pain because you have touched a white man. Not because Mashaba and Solly will not be touched. They will be touched, don’t worry. But we are starting with this whiteness. We are cutting the throat of whiteness,” Malema said in the video.
Following this accusation, the EFF dismissed Musk’s remarks as meddling in South African affairs, accusing him of being a “global billionaire maniac” with imperialist intentions.
“As part of the general hysteria that has overtaken governance in the United States, Musk has assumed the role of a global billionaire maniac, whose grotesque wealth has overwhelmed him and made him think of himself as a supreme ruler of all nations.”
“Elon Musk has captured the Presidency of the USA and has weaponised his office as an instrument to pursue his business interests globally. His nefarious influence must be opposed and undermined by all nations which respect their sovereignty and seek to maintain independence,” the EFF stated.
The EFF declared Musk an enemy of South Africa and called on progressive nations to isolate him. They also declared that Musk’s company, Starlink, would never operate in South Africa unless it complies with local legislation requiring 30% local ownership.
“The EFF declares Elon Musk as an enemy of South Africa and a capturer of governance in the USA who will lead to that nation’s downfall. All progressive nations, including Russia, China, India, and all African states, ought to isolate and reject all enterprises pursued by Elon Musk in their nations.”
The party alleged that Musk’s call for sanctions is part of a capitalist agenda aimed at discrediting Malema for opposing Western imperialism. It reiterated its commitment to expropriation without compensation.
“The EFF will not be cowed into submission, retreat nor capitulation from its principled and unwavering commitment to confront imperialism and its surrogates like Elon Musk anywhere and everywhere it rises its ugly head.”
Government Response to US Sanctions
Over the weekend, the South African government strongly criticised the recent executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, in which he condemned the Expropriation Act and accused the government of violating citizens’ rights by enabling the seizure of agricultural property from ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation.
The US administration claimed the Act dismantles equal opportunities in employment, education, and business. It also criticised the South African government’s rhetoric, alleging it contributes to violence against certain landowners.
Additionally, the executive order expressed concerns about South Africa’s foreign policy, citing its stance against Israel at the International Court of Justice and growing ties with Iran through commercial, military, and nuclear agreements, viewed as threats to US interests.
It directed US agencies to halt foreign aid to South Africa unless deemed necessary by agency heads. US authorities were also instructed to promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees fleeing alleged race-based discrimination and property confiscation.
“The United States cannot support the government of South Africa’s commission of rights violations in its country or its ‘undermining United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests.'”
In response, the South African government stated that the order was based on misinformation, ignoring the country’s complex history of colonialism and apartheid. Officials expressed concern over a misinformation campaign that influenced US decision-makers.
“It is ironic that the executive order makes provision for refugee status in the U.S. for a group in South Africa that remains amongst the most economically privileged, while vulnerable people in the U.S. from other parts of the world are being deported and denied asylum despite real hardship.”
Despite the criticism, the South African government remains committed to pursuing diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes linked to the newly enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 and related policies.
