South African businessman Johann Rupert appealed to former US President Donald Trump on Wednesday for assistance in addressing South Africa’s rising crime rate, saying the issue of violent crime extends beyond white Afrikaner farmers and affects citizens across the country.
“We have too many deaths, but it’s across the board,” Rupert told Trump during a high-level meeting at the White House.
“It’s not only white farmers. We need technological help. We need Starlink at every little police station.”
Rupert, the founder of Richemont and chairman of Remgro, made the comments during a meeting between South African and US officials, aimed at easing escalating diplomatic and economic tensions.
He also called for the deployment of drones to combat both crime and wildlife poaching.
“I actually got drones donated for the Peace Parks to stop elephant and rhino poaching,” Rupert said.
“If you can help us, remember, sir, you and I lived in New York in the 1970s. We never thought New York would become what it became. Two commissioners, a tough mayor. We need your help to stop these awful killings.”
Rupert described how he and other high-profile citizens are still building homes in South Africa, despite safety concerns.
“Ernie is right now building a house in George. I’m building three cottages for my grandchildren on a farm outside Trafford,” he said.
“I often go to bed without locking the door.”
He pointed to other systemic issues contributing to crime, including illegal immigration and unemployment.
“If you really look at our statistics, a lot of these murders stem first from unemployment and illegal agents,” Rupert said.
“If we don’t get our economy to grow, the culture of dependency and lawlessness will increase.”
Rupert also reflected on his personal history, noting that he opposed apartheid and is frequently targeted by political groups.
“I’ve been against apartheid all my life. And I’m their number one target. Please just Google my name and Malema. You’ll see it, sir. He marched on my doorstep.”
He criticised the local leadership, essentially Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, for downplaying the severity of crime in the Western Cape.
“Mr. Steenhuisen won’t admit it, but he runs the Western Cape where I live, and the biggest murder rate is in the Cape Flats, gangs. We’ve got gang warfare like your M-13. We’ve got equivalents there,” Rupert said.
He appealed for technological support from Elon Musk and the US government.
“We need your help, sir. And we need Elon’s technology.”
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa echoed Rupert’s concerns and emphasised the importance of trade and investment in reducing crime and inequality.
“One of the real areas of support is in investment,” Ramaphosa said.
“We’ve got to grow our economy. Because through growing the economy, we’re then able to create more jobs. Crime really thrives where there is inequality.”
He highlighted the economic partnership between the two countries, citing job creation through US and South African trade.
“By virtue of what we export to you, we are able to create up to 500,000 jobs, in the auto industry, agriculture, mining and other sectors,” Ramaphosa said.
“And as South African companies invest here, you also create jobs. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Ramaphosa said the primary goal of the visit was to strengthen investment ties.
“Our main reason for being here is to foster trade and investment, so we are able to grow our economy with your support,” he said.
“And so that we can also address societal problems. Criminality thrives when people are unemployed, when they have no hope of making a living.”
Ramaphosa added, “Your support, your partnership with us, is what is really going to give us the strong capability to do so.”
Politics
