Malema: SA not responsible for US's 'misinterpretation' of Expropriation Act
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, EFF leader Julius Malema said the South African government cannot be intimidated from introducing policies that address the country’s past racial injustices.
EFF leader Julius Malema at a press briefing in Johannesburg on 3 February 2025. Picture: X/@EFFSouthAfrica
JOHANNESBURG - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says South Africa (SA) cannot be responsible for the United States (US)’s “misinterpretation” of the Expropriation Act.
This comes on the back of US President, Donald Trump, announcing on his Social media app that his administration would be withdrawing all aid to South Africa.
Trump accused the South African government of human rights violations which include the confiscation of land from a “certain class of people.”
The SA government has announced it plans on engaging Trump on his claims and clarified that the only aid it receives from the USA is about R8 billion which goes towards fighting HIV/Aids in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, EFF leader Julius Malema said the South African government cannot be intimidated from introducing policies that address the country’s past racial injustices.
“We want to make it categorically clear to the president of the USA that we are going to expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so and no threat will stop us. His misinterpretation of the Expropriation Act - which is a mild and cosmetic intervention - is an assessment of a measure that is going to be pursued through the amendment of our constitution as South Africans.”
Malema proceeded to describe Trump’s comments as offensive and undermining South Africa’s sovereignty.
“The EFF reiterates its position that we must build state capacity, build a strong agricultural and industrial nation that will not depend on the West and intensify trade relations with progressive nations such as China, Russia and nations within BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa] who do not use foreign policy as an instrument to impose their will or bully other nations into submission.”
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