Podcaster Penuel
South African podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa sparked a flurry of reactions on X after sharing a tweet that imagined a dramatic scenario in which U.S. President Donald Trump had arrested South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife.
In the post, Penuel claimed that Ramaphosa was accused of leading a drug cartel, money laundering linked to the Phala Phala saga, human rights violations including the Marikana massacre, and even orchestrating “White Genocide.”
He further alleged that the U.S. would take over South African mines and run the country until further notice.
The tweet appeared to be a hyperbolic response to reports that Trump had announced the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
One user dismissed the scenario, writing, “Dream on.”
Another reflected on the imagined fall of the ANC, saying, “For the corrupt ANC in shackles, I’d almost celebrate, irrespective of the hand that dealt the blow…but things are unfortunately not that simple.”
Some fans leaned into the satirical aspect of Penuel’s post, with one joking, “I’d braai every day for a month! In celebration if this happened.”
Another provided context for the tweet’s intent, pointing out, “It’s sad how everyone here is missing Penuel’s point. It didn’t happen, he is simply showing how easy it will be for the US to do as it pleases then spread whatever propaganda about Cyril or any president so as to justify their actions.”
Reports coming in that the USA has been bombing Johannesburg, & has captured SAn President Cyril Ramaphosa & his wife.
Ramaphosa is accused of leading a drug cartel, as alluded by Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi & the Madlanga Commission.
He is also involved in money laundering,…
— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) January 4, 2026