The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have issued a forceful response following a joint press briefing held by U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The EFF criticized the event, claiming it was used to delegitimize the party, its leader Julius Malema, and the broader movement for land reform in South Africa.

According to the EFF, what was publicly framed as a discussion on diplomatic and trade relations instead became a targeted critique of the EFF’s position on land expropriation without compensation. The party expressed concern that the meeting served to undermine the land reform agenda and misrepresent its intentions.

During the meeting, President Trump displayed a video containing scenes of protest and crosses symbolizing alleged attacks on white South Africans. He suggested that white citizens were facing persecution and violence, stating that many were “fleeing the country” due to land seizures and threats to their lives.

President Ramaphosa responded by firmly rejecting the claims, asserting that there was no genocide occurring in South Africa. However, the EFF contended that Ramaphosa’s denial came at the expense of justice for historically dispossessed communities and hindered progress on equitable land redistribution.

EFF Defends Malema and Land Reform Objectives

In its official statement, the EFF asserted that it was unsurprising that the party and its leadership were a focal point of the discussion. The party reaffirmed its commitment to land reform and characterized the criticism as an attempt to derail meaningful transformation.

The EFF also took issue with the composition of President Ramaphosa’s delegation, which included prominent figures such as businessman Johann Rupert, professional golfer Ernie Els, and Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen. The party described these individuals as representatives of entrenched privilege and accused them of using the platform to express opposition to the EFF and its policy goals.

President Trump reportedly showcased video clips of Malema, including footage of him reciting the controversial “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” chant. In response, the EFF defended the song, describing it as a symbolic expression against systemic inequality and white minority control of land and resources. The party emphasized that South Africa’s legal system—including the Constitutional Court—had ruled that the song was not to be interpreted literally.

The EFF further alleged that President Ramaphosa undermined South Africa’s judiciary by contradicting its rulings to align with Trump’s narrative. The party labeled this as an act of political expediency aimed at appeasing foreign interests.

Commitment to Land Reform and Sovereignty

The EFF concluded its statement by reaffirming its dedication to constitutional democracy and its determination to resist any efforts to reverse progressive legislation. It described international criticism of its land reform stance, particularly from the U.S., as interference in South Africa’s sovereign policy decisions.

“We will not yield to imperialist pressure,” the statement read. “Our democratic principles and transformative agenda will not be compromised.”