EFF leader Julius Malema and Elon Musk have squared off on X, with Musk calling for Malema to be declared an international criminal, while Malema has branded Musk an enemy of South Africa.
Image: SIHLEMLAMBO/IOL
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has told the South Africa-born US billionaire Elon Musk to “go to hell” after he made calls on X for the red berets chief to be declared an international criminal.
This comes after Musk retweeted old clips of Malema making comments about cutting the throat of whiteness.
Musk called for immediate sanctions for Malema and for the former ANC Youth League leader to be declared as an international criminal.
In response, Malema tweeted: “I really think you have entirely lost your left brain: a typical spoiled brat and direct beneficiary of Apartheid whiteness.
“I know black people look the same to you, typical racist. Look closer, and you will realise those are two different people. America is exposing us to its stupidity. I don't care about your sanctions; I will never stop fighting for black people to be equal to white people, and if that makes me an international criminal, I am proud to be one”.
Musk and US president Donald Trump have intensified tensions against South Africa in recent weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into the law the Expropriation Act.
On Friday, Trump announced that he had signed executive orders which would see USAID no longer funding any HIV/Aids programmes in South Africa and that white Afrikaners would be given priority status for the US refugee programme.
The EFF has called for the Ramaphosa government to strengthen ties with Brics partners amid the aggression from the US, saying the Trump administration was punishing Pretoria for backing the people of Palestine after South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice.
In a statement, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said they were not concerned by the comments by Musk.
“As part of the general hysteria that has overtaken governance in the USA, 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 not only the Oval Office, but of all nations of the world,” he said.
“The EFF takes this opportunity to tell Elon Musk and all of his allies, in the USA, in Israel and the right wing groups in South Africa which have mobilized Musk, to collectively go to hell.
“The principle remains that equality in South Africa is rooted in the return of the land to African people, and this will be achieved through expropriation without compensation,” said Thambo.
The EFF said it was also making a firm commitment that Musk's Starlink will never operate in South Africa without complying to local legislation which demands that there must be 30% local ownership.
“The offense that Musk has made against the leader of the EFF constitutes a meddling in our domestic affairs which we do not take lightly, and he must be viewed as an imperialist who seeks to undermine the economic and political sovereignty of South Africa through sanctions, and is part of mischievous attempts to severe relations between South Africa and the US.
“The EFF declare Elon Musk as an enemy of South Africa, and a capturer of governance in the USA who will lead to that nations 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.
“Elon Musk has captured the Presidency of the USA and has weaponized 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 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,” said Thambo.
As tensions between Washington and Pretoria spill over, Afriforum announced at the weekend that they would not be taking up Trump’s offer for refuge in the US.
Afriforum is seeking an audience with Ramaphosa to resolve the current impasse over the Expropriation Act and other policies, including the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act.
IOL