Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has strongly condemned former US President Donald Trump’s executive order against South Africa (SA), calling it “illogical” and demanding that any South African seeking refuge in the US under its provisions be stripped of their SA citizenship.
“This [order] is a testament to the erratic nature of policy-making that has overtaken US foreign policy, which is controlled by emotions and misinformation,” the EFF said in a statement.
Trump’s order, signed on Friday, cited human rights concerns, including SA’s land expropriation policy and its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The order also included provisions for resettling Afrikaners as refugees in the US, claiming they face racial discrimination.
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Expropriation Act, allowing land to be taken without compensation if in the public interest. Action SA leader Herman Mashaba criticised the spread of misinformation about SA’s land policies, particularly by South Africans abroad, hinting at Elon Musk.
The EFF labelled Trump a “maniac” and accused the US of emotional and misinformed policymaking. The party called for SA to strengthen ties with BRICS nations (China and Russia) to counter US interference.
“South Africa must revoke the citizenship of any individual who assumes refugee status in the USA on the basis of this Executive Order, as it would be a declaration of the belief that South Africa’s laws, which seek to promote equality and social cohesion are not in sync with such an individual’s values.
EFF Statement On The Executive Order Signed By US President Donald Trump Cutting Foreign Aid To South Africa And Offering Re-Settlement In The USA For The Afrikaner Community.
In light of the aggression by the USA against South Africa, we must as a nation seriously consider… pic.twitter.com/1aLcGNmMes
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 8, 2025
“No one is being persecuted in South Africa, and to flee to the USA under this pretence should result in an immediate revoking of citizenship.
“No one who flees to the USA on the basis of misinformation and in support of an attack of our sovereignty should retain South African citizenship.”
Meanwhile, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel acknowledged Trump’s stance but reaffirmed Afrikaners’ commitment to staying in SA.
Trump’s executive order follows his recent suspension of refugee admissions, his freezing of HIV/AIDS funding to SA, and his criticism of SA’s land expropriation law, which he claims unfairly targets certain groups.
This has led to a diplomatic fallout, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulling out of a G20 summit in Johannesburg over alleged anti-American sentiment.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
