Ramaphosa labels US attacks on S.Africa 'misinformation'

Deutsche Tageszeitung - Ramaphosa labels US attacks on S.Africa 'misinformation'

Ramaphosa labels US attacks on S.Africa 'misinformation' / Photo: © POOL/AFP/File

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused the United States late on Sunday of peddling "blatant misinformation" by claiming his country was killing white people.

Change text size:

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked South Africa since returning to the White House earlier this year, pointing to false claims of "white genocide" of Afrikaners, a minority population descended from European colonisers.

The US boycotted last weekend's G20 summit in Johannesburg and Trump announced on Wednesday that he would not invite South Africa to the next gathering of the world's leading economies, which he plans to host at a golf course in Miami owned by his family.

Ramaphosa said in a televised address the reasons the US gave for its "non-participation" were informed by "baseless and false allegations that South Africa is perpetrating genocide against Afrikaners and the confiscation of land from white people".

"This is blatant misinformation about our country," the president said on the SABC broadcast.

"As a country, we are aware that the stance taken by the US administration has been influenced by a sustained campaign of disinformation by groups and individuals within our country, in the US and elsewhere.

"These people who are spreading disinformation are endangering and undermining South Africa's national interests, destroying South African jobs and weakening our country's relations with one of our most important partners."

Ramaphosa however said South Africa was willing "to continue to engage in dialogue with the United States government, and to do so with respect and with dignity as equal sovereign countries".

(M.Travkina--DTZ)

Miss Universe Visa Controversy: Zambia and Congo Winners Denied Entry

The winners of the Miss Universe pageant representing Zambia and the Republic of the Congo have been unable to obtain visas to enter the United States. This development underscores the impact of sweeping travel restrictions imposed by the US government during Donald Trump's second administration, which have affected dozens of countries, particularly those in Africa.

Judge Denies Peltola Campaign’s Request for Alaska Absentee Ballot Data

An Anchorage Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a lawsuit filed by the campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola, which sought detailed data on rejected absentee ballots from the Alaska Division of Elections. The ruling halts the campaign’s attempt to identify voters whose ballots were invalidated and understand the specific reasons for those rejections while the state continues its critical vote-counting operations.

Mkhwanazi and Former Ekurhuleni Officials to Face Court Over Blue Lights Scandal

Former Ekurhuleni metropolitan police department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and three former senior municipal officials are set to stand trial in the regional court on February 25, 2027. The case centers on allegations that the group facilitated the installation of unauthorized blue lights on vehicles linked to businessman Vusimuzi Matlala through fraudulent agreements.

Indonesian Police Gather Evidence for Treason Charges in President's Wiretapping Case

Indonesian national police announced on Thursday that they have gathered sufficient preliminary evidence to press treason charges against four suspects linked to the alleged wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto. The investigation has named former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo among those targeted, intensifying scrutiny over deepening political rifts within the country's leadership.