Julius Malema, the leader of South African opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has sharply criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s current visit to the United States. He labeled it “ill-timed” and a “waste of time” given South Africa’s ongoing budget crisis. Malema stated that Ramaphosa’s trip undermines national sovereignty, especially as Parliament is set to receive the national budget for the third time—an event Malema says reflects a deepening crisis. He warned that the President’s efforts to mend relations with the US could lead to compromising fundamental South African principles. Additionally, Malema accused Ramaphosa of potentially overruling Parliament’s resolution to close the Israeli embassy, calling such an act illegal. He also dismissed reports of Afrikaners fleeing South Africa as “fiction.” Malema denied allegations that the EFF is advocating for silence and clarified that his party only wants equitable land distribution.
IOL
