Zuma Fires Back at Trump’s Genocide Claims: “He’s the Least of My Concerns”

In a fiery press briefing from Durban this week, MK Party President Jacob Zuma didn’t hold back in responding to former US President Donald Trump’s recent statements suggesting a genocide is underway in South Africa. Zuma called Trump a “loudmouth” who “doesn’t know what he is talking about,” brushing off the claims as “just a joke.”

For Zuma, who’s weathered South Africa’s storms for decades, the notion of genocide here is absurd. “There is no genocide, nothing at all,” Zuma stressed, noting the common misunderstanding that genocide involves mass deaths targeted at a specific group — something South Africa’s data simply doesn’t support. The topic of farm attacks, often spotlighted by foreign commentators, has long polarized opinion in the country, but official reports paint a more nuanced picture of violence affecting all communities, not one targeting any single racial group for extermination.

Social media, however, is buzzing. Some South Africans praise Zuma for shutting down what they see as foreign interference, while others argue his dismissal oversimplifies a complex issue rooted in rural safety and land reform tensions.

Party Discipline and the Shivambu Malawi Visit

While the Trump drama grabbed headlines, Zuma also addressed a sensitive internal party matter: the redeployment of Secretary General Floyd Shivambu. Shivambu recently made an unauthorized trip to Malawi, where he met Bishop Shepherd Bushiri — a controversial fugitive wanted in South Africa for fraud and money laundering.

This breach of the MK Party constitution triggered a stern response. After a series of complaints and careful deliberation, the party decided to move Shivambu to the National Assembly. Zuma portrayed this as a strategic redeployment rather than a punishment, emphasizing Shivambu’s political talents remain invaluable as they gear up for the 2026 local elections and beyond.

The trip sparked lively debate locally, with many questioning the party’s judgment in associating with a figure like Bushiri, whose shadow looms large over South African religious and political circles.

Court’s Landmark Ruling on Hlophe Appointment

Adding to the political drama, the Western Cape High Court delivered a decisive blow to the MK Party’s attempt to place impeached judge John Hlophe on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Hlophe, removed from his judicial post for trying to sway Constitutional Court judges in a high-profile corruption case involving Zuma himself, was found unfit for the role by the court.

The ruling underscored the importance of preserving judicial independence — a crucial pillar in South Africa’s young democracy. The court called out Parliament’s decision as a “failure to properly exercise discretion,” warning it threatened public trust in the judiciary.

Hlophe’s defiant vow to appeal and the MK Party’s backing illustrate the ongoing tug-of-war between political interests and judicial integrity, a battle South Africans have followed closely as a test of democratic maturity.

Zuma’s Call for Unity Amid Challenges

Despite the turbulence, Zuma urged calm and unity at the Durban briefing. Acknowledging concerns from civil society groups like the Muslim Judicial Council, Zuma said the party took its time to handle the Shivambu situation carefully, balancing transparency and internal solidarity.

“There is no problem,” Zuma reassured. “We took the decision for good reasons and closed the matter.” His focus remains firmly on addressing South Africa’s real issues — unemployment, inequality, and national development — rather than getting caught up in foreign rhetoric or internal squabbles.

Zuma’s responses reflect a broader South African sentiment — a desire to reclaim the country’s narrative from international headlines often shaped by misinformation or political agendas. The farm attack genocide narrative, while real in its emotional resonance for some, lacks the legal and factual basis to warrant the term genocide.

Meanwhile, the Shivambu saga and Hlophe ruling highlight ongoing struggles within South Africa’s political and judicial systems. These issues aren’t just about personalities but about the country’s trajectory towards stronger governance and rule of law.

In a country rich with history and resilience, the voices of leaders like Zuma remind South Africans to look beyond sensational headlines and focus on unity and progress. Whether all citizens agree with his approach or not, his stance offers a local perspective often drowned out in global debates.

{Source: Central News}

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