The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has strongly condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa for what it calls a “reckless” violation of diplomatic protocols by reaching out to billionaire Elon Musk to elucidate South Africa’s new Expropriation Act.
In a scathing assertion, the EFF accused Ramaphosa of undermining the nation’s sovereignty and embarrassing South Africa on the world stage.
The get together stated the transfer alerts a harmful dependency on U.S. pursuits and international assist.
ELON MUSK’S RECENT CRITICISM
“This breaking of diplomatic protocol should never be taken lightly by the citizens, as it is a clear indication of how the sovereignty of our country is compromised at the behest of pandering for U.S. foreign aid,” the get together acknowledged.
The controversy stems from Musk’s recent criticism of South Africa’s Expropriation Act, which permits the federal government to grab land with out compensation underneath sure circumstances. The EFF believes Musk’s opposition to the regulation shouldn’t be solely self-serving but additionally rooted in “racist and white supremacist attitudes.”
EFF ACCUSES MUSK OF BUSINESS INTERESTS OVER POLICY CONCERNS
According to the EFF, Musk’s interference in South African affairs is pushed by his want to convey Starlink, his satellite tv for pc web firm, into the nation. However, present South African legal guidelines require foreign-owned satellite tv for pc firms to have at the least 30% black possession underneath the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) coverage.
The get together argues that Musk is utilizing his ties to US President Donald Trump to push his agenda. Thye say that is why he’s portray South Africa’s transformation insurance policies as “racist”. He needs to realize entry to the native market.
“For Musk to use his proximity to US President Donald Trump to characterise the laws of South Africa which seek to correct historical injustices as ‘racist’ is nothing but a misuse of his relationship with Trump in order to facilitate a business transaction,” the assertion learn.
STATE CAPTURE FEARS RESURFACE
The EFF has additionally warned that Ramaphosa’s name to Musk might set a harmful precedent, evaluating it to the state seize scandal underneath former President Jacob Zuma. This noticed the Gupta household exert huge affect over authorities choices.
“This unprecedented conduct by a sitting president to break the diplomatic protocols by telephonically lobbying an unelected billionaire who is hellbent on influencing the policies of our government has the potential to open the door for state capture,” the get together stated.
The EFF identified the irony of the Presidency’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya not too long ago reprimanding Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe. Mantashe threatened to chop mineral provides to the U.S. in the event that they withdrew assist to South Africa. The get together questioned why Ramaphosa himself was not held to the identical normal for his direct interplay with Musk.
EFF CALLS ON RAMAPHOSA TO RESPECT SOVEREIGNTY
The EFF has referred to as on Ramaphosa to chorus from counting on Western companies and rich people to form South Africa’s coverage path. They argue that his actions undermine diplomatic norms and compromise the nation’s independence.
“Ramaphosa should have known that such calls to private individuals would undermine diplomatic protocols and the sovereignty of our country,” the get together stated.
THE PRESIDENCY EXPLAINS WHY IT CALLED MUSK
Magwenya defined why Ramaphosa spoke to Musk about South Africa’s land expropriation coverage.
He stated the president had contacted Musk due to his response to an SA assertion following an announcement by Trump. He stated that the presidency was involved about inaccuracies in how South Africa was being portrayed, significantly concerning claims about racist possession legal guidelines.
“Given Musk’s influence, especially within Trump’s circles, the president saw it as important to engage with him directly to clarify the country’s legal and constitutional framework,” Magwenya stated.
Additionally, the Presidency highlighted that Ramaphosa had already engaged with Musk prior to now concerning potential investments in South Africa, significantly associated to Starlink and regulatory issues.
He confirmed that the newest engagement was geared toward reinforcing Musk’s understanding of the nation’s authorized framework and countering any misinformation.
DO YOU THINK RAMAHOSA WAS RIGHT TO CALL ELON MUSK?
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