Errol Musk Accused of Decades-Long Sexual Abuse

A New York Times probe alleges Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk, sexually abused children and stepchildren in South Africa and the U.S. since 1993 (image source)

A New York Times investigation has accused Errol Musk, the 79-year-old father of billionaire Elon Musk, of sexually abusing five of his children and stepchildren across South Africa and the United States since 1993. Court and police records—corroborated by interviews with family members and social workers—outline three separate police inquiries into alleged misconduct ranging from inappropriate touching of a four-year-old stepdaughter to the groping of a five-year-old son. Despite this, no criminal convictions have been recorded.

The report names at least four accusers, including stepdaughter Jana Bezuidenhout, two biological daughters and one stepson. Records show Bezuidenhout first reported abuse at her Pretoria home in October 1993, later alleging further incidents in 2003. In 2023, another child disclosed that Musk had groped him at the family’s South African residence. Errol Musk has denied the allegations, describing them as “false and nonsense in the extreme.” South African police confirmed two of the three inquiries were closed without charges, with the outcome of the third unclear.

The claims have deepened longstanding fractures within the Musk family. According to documents reviewed by the Times, relatives appealed to Elon Musk as early as 2010 for guidance on how to shield younger siblings from harm. While Elon has not commented publicly, reports suggest he provided financial support to some relatives and considered relocating them to California. Psychologists note the case highlights the difficulties of prosecuting intra-family abuse, where power dynamics and family pressure often deter victims from pursuing justice.

Errol Musk, an engineer and property developer, has fathered at least nine children through three marriages. He has been publicly estranged from Elon since 2018 but has continued to speak about him in interviews, often critically. Civil society groups in South Africa are now pressing the National Prosecuting Authority to revisit sealed case files, while child-rights advocates urge independent scrutiny. With the allegations resurfacing, the Musk family saga underscores broader concerns over accountability and child protection in high-profile households.