EFF slams Ramaphosa-Trump briefing as "imperialist theatre"
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has strongly condemned Wednesday’s discussions between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, calling the meeting “imperialist theatre” aimed at vilifying EFF leader Julius Malema and undermining South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
The much publicized meeting between the two countries aimed to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, but devolved into "a discussion about Julius Malema and the land question," the EFF said in a statement released shortly after the event.
"The meeting ended up being about the Commander-in-Chief of the EFF and his correct and principled position regarding the return of the land to African people."
'White monopoly capital summit'
The EFF sharply criticised Ramaphosa’s delegation, which included billionaire businessman Johann Rupert, golfing legend Ernie Els, and DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen — whom the party described as "white privileged men" aligned to capital interests.
According to the EFF, President Trump played clips of Malema chanting "Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer" and used the opportunity to call for action against Malema.
The party noted that the chant, deemed part of liberation heritage by South African courts, has repeatedly been ruled not to incite violence.
"Trump’s rant is a reflection of the fact that the voice of the oppressed still unsettles the empire," the EFF said, accusing Ramaphosa of cowardice for not defending the constitutional legality of the chant or the broader land reform agenda.
‘A plot against transformation’
The EFF also alleged that the discussions confirmed a backroom deal exists between the ANC and the DA to block the EFF from gaining power.
"John Steenhuisen confirmed that they reached a pact with the ANC to keep the EFF out of power, this confirms the consolidation of the 2024 alliance between white minority capital and the neoliberal ANC", the statement read.
The party also criticised Rupert’s reported lobbying for Elon Musk’s Starlink internet system to be allowed into the South African market, saying this signalled the true motive behind the meeting.
'Cowardice and surrender'
The EFF accused Ramaphosa’s team of "grovelling" before Trump, failing to debunk myths of "white genocide" in South Africa with facts, and ignoring constitutional tools like the Expropriation Bill that allow for land redistribution without compensation.
"South Africa has been embarrassed by a delegation that contradicted itself, abandoned judicial decisions, and at times was simply lying," the party declared.
‘EFF will not be silenced’
Despite Trump reportedly suggesting that action should be taken to silence Malema, the EFF doubled down.
"Our Commander in Chief can be considered in the lines of great revolutionaries, we will never bow to imperialism”, reads the EFF statement.
The EFF vowed to fight any attempts to reverse land reform laws or give foreign corporations like Starlink unchecked access to South African markets.
"We will defend our constitutional democracy, all those opposed to the dominance of the few by the many must never fear and must chant loudly against the system of oppression."
ALSO READ
