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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are threatening legal action over reports that South Africa may offer Elon Musk’s Starlink a controversial exemption from Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) regulations.
According to three sources familiar with the matter, a high-level meeting between Musk’s representatives and South African officials traveling with President Cyril Ramaphosa was planned for Tuesday night in Washington, D.C.
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The meeting reportedly aimed to defuse mounting international criticism from Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom have falsely claimed that a “genocide” is underway against white people in South Africa. Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday.
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Talks to bring Starlink to South Africa had previously stalled due to BEE requirements mandating at least 30% local equity for foreign telecom operators. Musk, a South African-born billionaire, claimed that Starlink was blocked in the country because he is “not black”—a statement local officials have strongly denied.
EFF: ‘Unconstitutional and a Threat to Sovereignty’
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo condemned the alleged move, calling it an illegal and dangerous precedent that undermines South Africa’s sovereignty.
“This move is not only unconstitutional, but it also exposes Ramaphosa as willing to compromise on our sovereignty to massage the inflated ego of Elon Musk and Donald Trump,” Thambo said.
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“We must remind the public and the presidency that Cyril Ramaphosa has no executive authority to unilaterally guarantee access to South Africa’s telecommunications sector, let alone bypass necessary Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws.”
Thambo added that any such commitments are “governed by national legislation and independent regulators, not the whims of one man desperate for foreign approval.”
EFF Warns Starlink Must Not Operate Above South African Law
While acknowledging the importance of innovation, the EFF warned that Starlink must comply with South African regulations like any other company.
“We are not opposed to technology or global innovation, but we will not allow unregulated, foreign-controlled infrastructure to operate outside our democratic and legislative systems,” said Thambo.
“Starlink represents a threat to local industry and national security, especially as it’s owned by someone who has peddled lies about genocide in South Africa to gain preferential market access.”
Thambo concluded with a sharp critique: “One wonders why Elon Musk is so desperate to set up operations in a country involved in a genocide, as any genuine humanitarian would recognise genocide as a disincentive for investment.”
The EFF vowed to fight the alleged Starlink deal “in Parliament, in the courts, and in the streets, if necessary.”
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