Elon Musk has reignited controversy by calling for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to be declared an international criminal.
Elon Musk pushes the agenda against Julius Malema
Musk, who was born in South Africa but is now a naturalised American citizen, made the remarks on X (formerly Twitter), where he frequently engages with right-wing narratives.
The tech billionaire’s latest campaign comes after former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting financial aid to South Africa, citing claims of racial discrimination against white South Africans.
Musk has actively promoted the idea that Malema, through his party’s policies, is responsible for white oppression and land seizures in South Africa.
In several posts, Musk amplified misleading and out-of-context clips of Malema, including an edited video from 2018 where the EFF leader stated, “We are cutting the throat of whiteness.”
The original speech, however, was a political attack on the Democratic Alliance’s former Port Elizabeth mayor, Athol Trollip, and was not a general call for violence.
Musk also interacted with a post from controversial political figure Andile Mngxitama, the founder of Black First Land First (BLF), who supported the idea of Afrikaners leaving South Africa following Trump’s executive order.
Mngxitama wrote: “I agree with Trump, the land thieves must leave SA and go to the USA. Our land shall be free of colonialists.”
The EFF has hit back at Musk, dismissing his statements as an attempt to interfere in South Africa’s domestic affairs. In an official statement, the party accused Musk of using his wealth and influence to manipulate global politics.
“The EFF is not fazed by the declaration made by owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), SpaceX, Starlink, Tesla, and the so-called director for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the United States of America, who has made a declaration that the President of the EFF, Julius Malema, must be declared an international criminal,” the party said.
The EFF also described Musk as a “billionaire maniac” who has captured the US government to serve his own interests.
“It is therefore not surprising that Julius Malema would be declared an enemy by the global capitalist establishment, an agenda advanced by the likes of deranged individuals such as Elon Musk,” the statement continued.
The party warned Musk that his influence in South Africa would be limited, stating that his Starlink satellite internet service would not be allowed to operate in the country without meeting local ownership requirements.
“The EFF makes a firm commitment that Elon Musk’s Starlink will never operate in South Africa without complying with legislation demanding 30% local ownership,” it declared.
While Musk continues to push narratives about white persecution in South Africa, international human rights organisations have not classified Afrikaners as a persecuted group.
The South African government has repeatedly denied that any land seizures without compensation have taken place.
Musk has not responded to the EFF’s latest statement, but his social media activity suggests that he remains committed to portraying Malema and the EFF as threats to stability in South Africa.
