SA President contacts Elon Musk over disinformation
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with entrepreneur Elon Musk over the phone this week about misinformation and falsehoods about South Africa.
According to the South African presidency, during the process, Ramaphosa emphasised South Africa's constitutionally imbedded ideals of respect for the rule of law, justice, fairness, and equality.
This comes after US President Donald Trump vowed to cut off all aid to South Africa over what he alleges are illegal land grabs by Ramaphosa's government.
Trump's claim is based on a misconception that white South Africans are the victims of illegal land confiscation, which South Africa's government has categorically refuted.
On Monday, Ramaphosa responded to Trump by stating that South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law and equal rights.
“The South African Government has not confiscated any land,” he said.
Ramaphosa continued: “The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the Constitution.
“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.”
This statement prompted South African-born Musk, who oversees the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, to challenge Ramaphosa on X: "Why do you have openly racist ownership laws?"
This exchange on social media resulted in a phone call between Ramaphosa and Musk yesterday, however no further details about the conversation were given.