In a scathing condemnation, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has called for immediate sanctions against South African politician Julius Malema, accusing him of being an international criminal who incites violence and undermines democratic institutions. Musk’s outspoken denunciation comes amid growing concerns over Malema’s inflammatory rhetoric and its potential to spark widespread unrest. As the international community grapples with the challenges of combating hate speech and promoting global stability, Musk’s demand for accountability raises critical questions about the responsibility of public figures to promote peace and respect for human rights.
Elon Musk, the American businessman and CEO of Tesla, has called for immediate sanctions against South African politician and lawmaker Julius Malema due to a controversial speech he made in 2018 that targeted white people.
According to the White House, Elon Musk is officially serving as a special government employee under President Donald Trump. In November 2024, when Trump was the President-elect, he appointed Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The politician stated, “We have made the decision to remove the mayor of Port Elizabeth.” He made this statement while addressing a crowd at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg during the launch of the party’s election registration campaign.
He continued, “Why not target the DA’s mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, or Solly Msimanga, the mayor of DA-led Tshwane? The reason is that the mayor of the DA in Port Elizabeth is a white man. When you want to hit them hard, you go after a white man. They feel significant pain when you have touched a white man.”
Julius Malema emphasized that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will not spare Mashaba and Msimanga from their criticism, stating that they will eventually face consequences.
However, he prioritized tackling what he termed “whiteness,” declaring, “We are cutting the throat of whiteness.” Malema also specifically targeted Trollip, asserting that he would not remain mayor after April 6, provided that date holds.
Seven years later, Elon Musk reacted to these remarks by tweeting on Sunday that Malema had committed a serious crime and should be punished accordingly.
“Immediate sanctions against Malema and his designation as an international criminal!” the Tesla CEO wrote.
The call for international sanctions against Julius Malema arises from a recent diplomatic misunderstanding between the South African government and the United States.
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that freezes financial aid to South Africa, following earlier threats to do so. He announced plans to cut off all future funding, citing concerns over land expropriation and the alleged discriminatory treatment of some residents especially foreigners in the country
Trump announced his decision on Truth Social shortly after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government to expropriate land without compensation in certain situations.
President Ramaphosa responded by clarifying that South Africa receives no funding from the US, except for PEPFAR aid that supports the country’s HIV/AIDS program.
The Fount 
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