Ramaphosa Draws a Line: No Free Pass for Lobbying Foreign Powers Against SA

South Africa’s long-running political arguments have officially crossed borders and President Cyril Ramaphosa says that’s where he is prepared to step in.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s birthday celebrations this week, Ramaphosa made it clear that the government is watching closely as certain organisations lobby the United States to take punitive action against South Africa. According to the president, this is no longer just noisy political disagreement, it risks undermining the country’s sovereignty.

And that, he said, is not something the state will ignore.

“We Will Act Within the Law”

Ramaphosa confirmed that government is assessing whether lobbying foreign governments against South Africa crosses legal lines. Any response, he stressed, will be measured and rooted firmly in constitutional principles.

“We are examining these matters with care and diligence,” he told journalists. “We are a constitutional democracy and we will act strictly within the law.”

The message was calm, but unmistakably firm, a reminder that while South Africa protects freedom of expression, that protection has limits when national sovereignty is at stake.

Old Claims, New Global Reach

Groups such as AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement have for years argued that South Africa is implementing “race-based laws” and that white citizens face systemic persecution. These claims have consistently been rejected by government and challenged by independent analysts.

What has changed is the audience.

In recent months, those narratives have found fresh life abroad, amplified by influential figures in the US, including former president Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. That international echo has raised alarm bells in Pretoria, particularly as misinformation begins influencing foreign political discourse.

For many South Africans, the frustration isn’t new, but the global megaphone is.

Treason Claims and Political Pressure

The issue escalated last year when the MK Party laid criminal charges against AfriForum, accusing the organisation of treason and alleging it ran an international misinformation campaign designed to delegitimise South Africa’s elected government.

No formal charges have been brought so far, but the move reflected a growing sentiment among parts of the public: that appealing to foreign powers is a step too far.

On social media, reactions have been divided. Some users have called for decisive action, arguing that domestic political battles must be fought at home. Others warn against criminalising dissent, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.

Ramaphosa appeared to acknowledge this tension, cautioning against turning political disagreement into criminal conduct without clear legal grounds.

A Delicate Moment in US–SA Relations

The debate comes at a sensitive time for relations between Pretoria and Washington. While trade ties remain strong and diplomatic channels are open, friction has grown around land reform, foreign policy stances, and claims that misinformation is shaping US perceptions of South Africa.

Ramaphosa said the country remains committed to constructive engagement with the US, but not at the expense of self-determination.

“Differences must be resolved through democratic processes and dialogue, not through external pressure,” he said.

More Than Politics, A Question of Sovereignty

At its core, this is about more than party politics or ideological divides. It’s about who gets to shape South Africa’s story and where that debate should happen.

For a country with a long history of external interference, the idea of internal groups inviting foreign governments to intervene cuts deep. Ramaphosa’s stance suggests the government is preparing to defend that boundary carefully, legally, and deliberately.

The outcome of the state’s review and any legal or diplomatic steps that follow, will be closely watched. Not just in Washington, but at home, where the line between free speech and foreign interference is now firmly under scrutiny.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com