Elon Musk calls for sanctions against Julius Malema

Billionaire Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to ignite a political firestorm, questioning South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for allegedly allowing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema to incite violence against white South Africans.

Responding to a post by commentator Vincent James, Musk tweeted: "Why do you allow this, @CyrilRamaphosa? This is a major political party in the South African parliament and their leader is calling for genocide of white people."

Musk, who was born in South Africa, followed up with a more pointed statement, calling for "Immediate sanctions for Malema and declaration of him as an international criminal!"

Musk's comments come amid growing scrutiny of Malema's recent rhetoric during public appearances. The controversial EFF leader has faced backlash over statements critics have interpreted as incitement, though Malema and his party deny these allegations, framing their statements as political theatre aimed at addressing historical injustices.

Musk's tweets also reignited discussions about South Africa's fraught racial and political dynamics, with many praising him for raising awareness while others accused him of inflaming racial tensions.

Musk's remarks coincided with escalating diplomatic tensions between the United States and South Africa. Last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing aid to South Africa, citing alleged discrimination against white South African farmers under a land reform policy.

The executive order alleges that the South African government's land expropriation policy allows the seizure of agricultural property owned by ethnic minority Afrikaners without compensation. Trump called for the prioritization of Afrikaner farmers as refugees under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programme, claiming they are victims of racial discrimination.

"The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate steps, consistent with law, to prioritize humanitarian relief," the executive order reads, also emphasizing efforts to resettle Afrikaners in the United States.

South Africa's government swiftly dismissed Trump's claims as "misinformation," stating that land reform policies are aimed at addressing centuries of inequality without violating constitutional rights.

Land ownership remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with the majority of farmland still owned by white South Africans nearly 30 years after the end of apartheid. The government has faced mounting pressure to implement reforms, including the contentious Expropriation Bill, signed into law last month.

Musk's criticism of South African leadership extends beyond Malema and Ramaphosa. He has also accused the government of pursuing "openly racist ownership laws" that have stalled the licensing of his Starlink satellite internet service in the country. South African policy requires major companies to ensure 30% equity is held by historically disadvantaged groups, a provision Musk has publicly criticized.

The tensions have drawn in other high-profile figures, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced he would skip the upcoming G20 talks in South Africa. Rubio accused the South African government of hosting an "anti-American" agenda, further straining diplomatic relations.

The latest developments have reignited debates over racial equality, land reform, and political accountability in South Africa. Critics argue that leaders like Malema exacerbate divisions, while others claim Musk and Trump's interventions reflect an oversimplification of complex historical and socio-political issues.

As global attention focuses on South Africa, the country's government has reiterated its commitment to addressing inequality without compromising the rule of law, even as high-profile figures like Musk and Trump continue to challenge its policies.