South Africa rejects Trump demand to arrest Malema over ‘kill the farmer’ chant

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to President Donald Trump’s demand for the arrest of opposition politician Julius Malema, who has been repeatedly chanting “kill the farmer.” Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party, has been defiant in the face of Trump’s call for his arrest, stating at a recent rally, “I will never be intimidated by Donald Trump.”

Despite Trump’s insistence that Malema should be arrested, Ramaphosa made it clear that there are no plans to detain the EFF leader. He emphasized that South Africa is a sovereign country with its own laws and processes. Ramaphosa also referenced a 2022 decision by South Africa’s Constitutional Court, which deemed the slogan “kill the Boer, kill the farmer” as a decades-old liberation chant that does not incite violence.

Critics, however, have pointed out that Malema sits on South Africa’s Judicial Services Commission, the body responsible for appointing judges. Ian Cameron of the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, South Africa’s main opposition party, expressed concern over Malema’s repeated incitement of violence through chants like “Kill the Boer.” Cameron stressed the need for legal consequences for incitement of violence, calling for the justice system to act without fear or favor.

Malema’s continued singing of the controversial chant has led to further division and mistrust within South African society. The issue of farm attacks, which disproportionately affect White farmers in rural areas, has been exacerbated by Malema’s rhetoric. Despite calls for consequences, Malema remains unapologetic, stating that he will sing the song as and when he pleases.

The issue of farm attacks in South Africa remains a contentious and complex issue, with both White and Black farmers falling victim to brutal violence. Cameron highlighted the gruesome nature of these attacks, recounting scenes of torture and brutality that he has witnessed firsthand. The ongoing debate over freedom of speech versus incitement of violence continues to be a point of contention in the country.

As tensions escalate and political divisions deepen, the situation in South Africa remains volatile. The government’s response to Malema’s chants and Trump’s demands will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future. Stay tuned for further developments on this evolving story.