Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber has slapped an EFF MP on the wrist for trying to implicate him in the party’s war of words with US billionaire Elon Musk.
EFF MP Thapelo Mogale asked Schreiber in a parliamentary question whether Elon Musk, Deon Barnard and US tech billionaires Peter Thiel and David Oliver Sacks were SA citizens and if so whether he would revoke their SA citizenship “since the persons are linked to the president of the US of America, Donald Trump, funded his presidential campaign and contributed to his negative views about the Republic, a matter that has now led to diplomatic strain between the two nations”.
Musk, who leads Trump’s department of government efficiency, has called on X for Malema to be declared an international criminal and for immediate sanctions to be placed on him for what he sees as his significant role in inciting calls for white genocide. This could relate to Malema’s singing of the anti-apartheid song Kill the Boer, which AfriForum regards as an incitement to kill white farmers, though the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled against such a conclusion.
Trump recently signed an executive order cutting off aid to SA in response to the promulgation of the Expropriation Act, which he sees as depriving Afrikaners of their land and offered them refugee status in the US. AfriForum has visited the US to promote its views against the act.
Malema has responded to Musk’s call by describing him as an illiterate racist. The EFF also hit back saying it would not be cowered and would not be forced to capitulate to “imperialists” such as Musk.
In his written reply to Mogale, Schreiber said the department of home affairs would not weaponise the law to pursue political ends.
“Instead of being based on politics, our decisions are informed by the requirements of the constitution, the rule of law, rationality, and just administrative action.
“It furthermore appears that the honourable member was motivated to submit this particular question out of fear for the repercussions that his party leader may soon face for the years of hateful and violent rhetoric he has directed at certain segments of our society.
“Rather than seeking to cower behind the minister of home affairs in an ill-fated attempt to escape from the possible consequences of his actions, it is advisable for the honourable member’s party leader to apologise for his inflammatory and divisive rhetoric, and to meaningfully commit to a programme of restitution and nation building.”
Schreiber advised Mogale to make a request for information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, which has a prescribed form.
“As part of such request, the department requires the provision of the full personal particulars, including the identity number, alternatively the date of birth, of the person in question, to determine the citizen status of any individual holding SA citizenship or granted citizenship through the naturalisation process. The honourable member is advised to provide the details accordingly.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.