Johann Rupert's inclusion in Trump talks 'Spit in the face of Democracy' - EFF
EFF slams billionaire Johann Rupert’s inclusion in a US-SA delegation, calling it a betrayal of democracy and warning against back-room deals that undermine South Africa’s sovereignty and legislation.
Image: Phando Jikelo/Parliament of SA
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the inclusion of billionaire businessman Johann Rupert in a South African delegation set to engage with US President Donald Trump, labelling it a “spit in the face of our democracy” and an example of “undue influence of big business” over international diplomacy.
EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, said the party criticises both South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump for allowing what it calls their “benefactors and funders” to steer bilateral relations, accusing them of undermining the sovereignty of both nations.
“In what can only be described as capture and an exhibition of the undue influence of big business in an interaction between two nations premised on democracy and sovereignty, Trump and Ramaphosa have allowed their benefactors and funders to influence and control the relations between South Africa and the United States, undermining the people of both nations,” Thambo said.
The EFF drew a controversial comparison between Rupert and tech mogul Elon Musk, calling them “two sides of the same coin.”
The party accuses both businessmen of being “racist to the core” and hostile to transformation and equity, which the EFF claims threatens their “ill-gotten wealth.”
Rupert, described as a “hard-nosed Afrikaner” by the party, is accused of opposing land expropriation without compensation and of working to assure the US that such policies will not materialise in South Africa.
The party also highlighted his history of threatening to disinvest from the country in response to efforts aimed at economic redress.
Thambo said Rupert’s participation in the delegation “is a spit in the face of our democracy, which has grown to appreciate the need for redress in education, healthcare and land ownership through the BELA Act, the NHI Act and the Expropriation Act.”
The EFF further warned against any informal deals regarding the operations of Elon Musk’s Starlink in South Africa.
The party insists that the communications company must comply with local ownership regulations to receive a license, and any attempt to bypass this “will be meaningless.”
“Ramaphosa and Rupert carry no mandate or legislative power to make any assurances around the reversal of South Africa’s legislation.
''The EFF reserves all of its rights to challenge back-room dealings which undermine the will of the people and the Parliament of South Africa, in our courts of law,” said Thambo.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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