Musk hurls expletives at senior SA diplomat in Starlink row

Elon Musk publicly insulted South African diplomat Clayson Monyela with expletives on X, escalating his ongoing dispute with the South African government over Starlink's licensing. South Africa requires telecom licensees to cede 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups, a condition SpaceX refuses globally. A policy workaround via equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) has been proposed by communications minister Solly Malatsi, but faces political opposition. Even if the policy survives, analysts estimate Starlink's South African launch is unlikely before late 2027.