De Beer: SA’s “hiding to hell” in a week of international political intrigue - and domestic drama

“There was no meeting. It was a hiding to hell. It was an absolute slap to us.” That is the take of Neil De Beer, the President of the United Independent Movement (UIM), on last week’s meeting between presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump in Washington. “… it was embarrassing for us, it looked like we were knocking on a door, bare feet, shorts and a T-shirt and asking the neighbour for an ice cream.” He says the biggest insult to Ramaphosa was the fact that none of the members of Trump’s delegation bothered to interact with him. “…absolute horrific occasion…when I saw them in the Oval Office, I said, maar dis die wynspan.” As for the pleas for more investment from the US, he says: “Another billion from America so that we can have it looted on Tuesday? No, our track record doesn't speak of trust whatsoever.” As for government’s proposal to ease B-BBEE licensing requirements for satellite service providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink, he says: “..great idea…but we have to start looking at South African companies that suffer”. De Beer also dissects the controversial EWC statements by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean McPherson on the eve of the US visit, as well as the absence of Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas from it. He slams the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for another failure with fraud charges being provisionally withdrawn against former Cape Town MMC Malusi Booi and co-accused in the R1 billion housing tender case; and he comments on the arrest of a man for sending threatening messages directed at the president and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, as well as a CEO.