Ramaphosa maintains cool in tense Trump meeting
President Cyril Ramaphosa had to maintain his cool during a tense meeting with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
The tone of Wednesday night’s conversation in the Oval Office took a turn when Trump confronted Ramaphosa over claims of a so-called "white genocide" in South Africa.
What began as a cordial exchange of pleasantries, and even talks of a gift, quickly disintegrated when Trump ambushed Ramphosa.
"Turn the lights down, turn the lights down, and just put this on. It's right behind you," said Trump turning his attention to video clips being projected onto a wall.
Former president Jacob Zuma was featured in the footage, as well as EFF leader Julius Malema, who was heard chanting the words to struggle song ‘Kill the Boer’.
Trump repeated discredited claims that white farmers are being targeted and killed in South Africa, and showed footage of what he believes is a mass burial ground for Afrikaner farmers.
Trump barely gave Ramaphosa a moment to respond but when he did, he made it known that the South African government's policy does not align with Malema's remarks.
READ: WATCH: Trump ambushes Ramaphosa with 'genocide' accusation
"No. Nobody can take land. There is criminality in our country. People who do get killed, unfortunately through criminal activity, are not only white people. [The] majority of them are black people."
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen told Trump that farm murders affect both black and white farmers.
Billionaire businessman Johann Rupert shared the same sentiments.
"We have too many deaths but it's across the board. It's not only white farmers and we need technological help. We need Starlink at every police little station. We need drones,” he said.
Ramaphosa called for partnerships with the US, particularly for technology to fight crime.
