Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for using video clips of him to promote what he calls a “false white genocide” narrative in South Africa.
Malema’s remarks came during a media briefing in Koppies, the Free State, where he also accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to defend South Africa’s constitution and struggle heritage during a controversial meeting with Trump at the Oval Office.
Trump’s Allegations and Malema’s Response
Malema claimed that Trump’s reference to his arrest—asking why he wasn’t jailed for his controversial “Kill the Boer” struggle song—was an implicit call for his assassination.
“When [Trump] says to Ramaphosa, ‘Why is this man not in jail? Why are you not arresting this man?’ he simply means, ‘Why are you not killing this man?’ Because he believes I want to kill white people,” Malema asserted.
He further accused Trump of using “manipulated footage” to push a misleading narrative about white farmers being targeted in South Africa, calling it a tactic to pressure the country on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding Israel and Russia.
Ramaphosa’s “Failure to Defend South Africa”
Malema lambasted Ramaphosa for not correcting Trump’s claims, including false allegations of mass graves of white South Africans.
“Our president was there, he had the facts. He should have said outright: ‘This is not South Africa. There are no mass graves of white people here.’ But he failed,” Malema said.
He argued that Ramaphosa’s reluctance to defend the “Kill the Boer” song—a historic anti-apartheid chant ruled non-inciteful by South Africa’s Constitutional Court—showed a lack of loyalty to the country’s liberation struggle.
Increased Security Concerns
Malema also revealed heightened security measures around him, suggesting that Trump’s remarks had put his life at risk.
“As a revolutionary, being killed is one of those honors you must wear with pride. But I’m not going to be reckless,” he said, while emphasizing that the EFF would not be intimidated.
Political Implications
The EFF leader framed the incident as proof of his party’s growing influence, noting that Trump’s focus on him contradicted claims that the EFF was irrelevant.
“They said the EFF is dead, only to find us in the Oval Office. Trump knows we are not a small party—that’s why imperialism is scared of us,” Malema declared.
He vowed to challenge Ramaphosa in Parliament over the matter, accusing him of failing to uphold South Africa’s sovereignty.
Conclusion
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over land reform, racial narratives, and South Africa’s foreign policy stance. Malema’s fiery rebuttal reinforces his role as a polarizing figure in South African politics, unafraid to confront both local and international critics.
As the EFF prepares for upcoming local government elections, the party is likely to leverage the incident to rally support among its base, framing itself as the true defender of South Africa’s liberation legacy.