WATCH: Errol Musk defends Elon Musk's controversial comments on South Africa

Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, has defended his son's recent sentiments on the situation in South Africa.

Musk senior has further explained that President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a recent telephone call with Elon, explained what the Land Expropriation Act entails.

He was drawn into the conversation on PodcastAndChill, where co-host Sol Phenduka challenged him on Elon's interpretation of the current South African political landscape and his controversial "salute" at President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Elon, the world's richest man and a member of Trump's cabinet, said SA government was doing too little to stop the 'genocide' on white farmers. This was widely reported by media outlets across the globe. However, according to Musk, Elon did not say this.

Elon's comments come following the signing into law of the Land Expropriation Act. There is confusion around how land will be expropriated and if there will be payment to the land owner. The SA government has been explicit about this.

IOL previously reported on what the Act is about and how it affects property owners.

During the call with MacG and Phenduka, Musk defended Elon's comments about a 'genocide' in SA.

"I think what he said was that white farmers are three times more likely to be shot than a police officer. This is not a good thing," Musk said.

Musk highlighted that there were tensions between SA and the United States prior to Ramaphosa signing the bill.

"I think that's where it started and went onto other things," he said.

Afrikaner advocacy group, AfriForum has been leading the charge on the Land Expropriation Act however, Musk said he was not phased by the group's comments.

Instead he said he was more concerned when black people were chanting 'Kill the boer'.

Phenduka explained that the Expropriation Act is not isolated to land alone but also tackles the scourge of hijacked buildings.

Musk said the name of the Act caused alarms and conceded that once a person reads the Act, they understand it.

Commenting on Elon's salute during the Trump inauguration, which caused widespread outrage, Musk laughed off the podcast hosts' refences to Musk senior's father being pro-Nazi.

"That's what everybody does," he said, adding that even other US presidents like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, have done similar gestures in the past. 

Ended the interview, Musk said his son is a good man. 

"Elon is a very good man, believe me. Elon is your friend," he said.

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

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