The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have strongly condemned Elon Musk’s recent call to have the party’s leader, Julius Malema, declared an international criminal. In a fiery statement issued on Sunday, the EFF dismissed Musk’s comments as an extension of Western imperialism and accused him of attempting to interfere in South Africa’s domestic affairs.
“Elon Musk has assumed the role of a global billionaire maniac, whose grotesque wealth has overwhelmed him and made him think of himself as a supreme ruler of not only the Oval Office but of all nations of the world,” the party said.
Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, Tesla, and Starlink, was also labeled an “enemy of South Africa” by the EFF, which accused him of using his influence to manipulate governments and push his business interests.
“The offense that Musk has made against the leader of the EFF constitutes a meddling in our domestic affairs which we do not take lightly,” the statement read.
The EFF reiterated its stance on land expropriation without compensation and vowed that Musk’s Starlink internet service would not operate in South Africa unless it complied with local laws requiring 30% local ownership.
EFF Statement On Elon Musk’s Call For CIC, Julius Malema To Be Declared An International Criminal.
The EFF will not be cowed into submission, retreat nor capitulation from its principled and unwavering commitment to confront imperialism and its surrogates like Elon Musk anywhere… pic.twitter.com/BsxQEOLLJl
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 9, 2025
The party further called on “all progressive nations, including Russia, China, India, and all African states” to reject Musk’s enterprises, claiming he has “captured the Presidency of the USA and weaponized his office as an instrument to pursue his business interests globally.”
Despite Musk’s remarks, the EFF insisted it would not back down from its political agenda. “The EFF will not be cowed into submission, retreat nor capitulation from its principled and unwavering commitment to confront imperialism and its surrogates like Elon Musk anywhere and everywhere it rises its ugly head,” the statement concluded.