Johannesburg – Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has refused to answer a parliamentary question from the Economic Freedom Fighters regarding the citizenship status of tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and David Sacks.

Schreiber cited the Protection of Personal Information Act as grounds for rejection, stating he would not allow his department to be “used for political battles.” He advised the EFF to submit a formal application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act if they wished to pursue the matter.

“Instead of being based on politics, our decisions are informed by the requirements of the Constitution, the rule of law, rationality, and just administration,” Schreiber stated in a written response after time constraints prevented an oral answer in Parliament on Wednesday.

Musk and Sacks were born in South Africa before emigrating to the United States, where they now serve as advisors to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Thiel, born in Germany, attended school in Namibia during the 1970s when it was under South African administration.

The inquiry comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, with the Trump administration adopting an increasingly critical stance toward the country.

Schreiber suggested the EFF’s question was politically motivated, directly criticizing party leader Julius Malema. “Rather than seeking to cower behind the minister of home affairs in an ill-fated attempt to escape from the possible consequences of his actions, it is advisable for the honourable member’s party leader to apologise for his inflammatory and divisive rhetoric,” he said.

The minister called on Malema to “meaningfully commit to a programme of restitution and nation-building” instead of involving government departments in political disputes.

The EFF has not indicated whether they will pursue the citizenship information through formal legal channels.