The Land Party has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate bribery allegations made by Elon Musk over Starlink’s entry into South Africa. The party says the claims are serious and could damage confidence in the country’s regulatory system if they are left unanswered.

Land Party Pushes for Formal Probe

According to the Cape Town etc., the Land Party wants the matter referred to the Madlanga Commission. The party said Musk’s allegations cannot simply be brushed aside, especially in a country where corruption remains a major public concern.

In its statement, the party said no allegation of this nature should be taken lightly. It argued that a proper investigation is needed to establish the facts and help restore public trust.

The latest flare-up followed comments Musk made on X. The billionaire alleged that officials wanted bribes before Starlink could get a licence in South Africa. He also claimed authorities suggested the company should “pretend that a Black guy runs Starlink SA” to meet local compliance requirements. Musk added that racism should not be rewarded, regardless of who it is aimed at.

Those remarks have added fresh heat to the ongoing debate around Starlink and South Africa’s regulatory rules. The source article reports that the dispute has now moved beyond online criticism and into the political arena, with the Land Party demanding action from the presidency.

Rules Around Foreign Operators Under Scrutiny

Government has previously said foreign satellite operators must follow South African law, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements. The policy does make room for equity-equivalent programmes instead of direct ownership in some cases. That has become a key point in the wider argument over whether Starlink can operate locally under the current framework.

Presidency Yet to Respond

Public reaction has been split. Some online users backed Musk’s criticism, while others defended South Africa’s policies and questioned his approach to the local market. For now, the presidency has not announced whether it will act on the Land Party’s request for a formal investigation.

That leaves the issue hanging over both government and Starlink, with pressure mounting for clear answers on what really happened behind the scenes.