EFF leader Julius Malema has hit back at former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding to South Africa, asserting that the country will not be dictated to by foreign powers.
Trump announced on Sunday that his administration would cut financial support to South Africa following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill last month. In a social media post, Trump claimed South Africa was “treating certain classes of people very badly” and said no funding would be released until an investigation was conducted.
Addressing the media on Monday, Malema dismissed Trump’s remarks as offensive and an attack on South Africa’s sovereignty.
“There is nothing he can do to undermine our independence,” Malema said.
He emphasized that Trump’s threats would not deter South Africa from pursuing land reform.
“We want to make it categorically clear to the U.S. president that we will expropriate land without compensation and pursue legislative measures to do so, and no threat will stop us.”
Malema also criticized South Africa’s reliance on foreign aid and investment, arguing that it surrenders the country to external influence.
“Dependency on foreign aid allows imperialists to dictate Africa’s economic and policy direction,” he said.
With Trump’s comments reigniting international debate on land reform, Malema’s defiant stance underscores the EFF’s commitment to expropriation without compensation, regardless of external pressure.
