Trump confronts Ramaphosa at White House with claims of ‘white persecution’

United States (US) president Donald Trump and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday held a tense meeting in Washington, with Trump claiming white farmers are “fleeing South Africa” due to alleged persecution.

However, Ramaphosa denied the claim saying both white and black citizens are victims of crime. Trump played video footage and showed pictures of news stories to make a point.

Asked by the media what he wants Ramaphosa to do about the situation, Trump replied: “I don’t know”.

After playing what was presented as video documentary of hate speech and genocide directed against white South African farmers, Trump accused Ramaphosa’s government of confiscating land and turning a blind eye to the murder.

Ramaphosa denounced the “kill the Boer” chants of what he said were minority out-of-government parties.

He referenced Nelson Mandela and brought in South African agriculture minister John Steenhuisen – who is white – to discuss how crime is a public safety problem that threatens all South Africans.

Meanwhile, Trump was also asked by the media if he is attending the G20 Summit being held in South Africa later this year, before the US takes over as chair of the group for next year.

Trump said that without the US, the G20 is “not very important”.

Ramaphosa said the US originated the G20 and it’s important that the US “continues to play a key role”.
He said South Africa is “overjoyed” to hand it over to the US, “the originators.”

“And for that reason I expect the US to continue playing the leadership role in the G20,” Ramaphosa said.

– BBC

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