Donald Trump’s Bureau Accused of Pushing Unfounded White Genocide Narrative in South Africa. Image: BBC News.
(The Post News)– President Cyril Ramaphosa has refuted claims of a so-called “Boer genocide” as reported by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), which alleged that recent attacks on South African farmers were deliberate.
Reports indicate that Trump sent a delegation to South Africa to assess the situation, while the DRL is currently conducting its investigation, prompted in part by accusations from entrepreneur Elon Musk. The DRL cited local sources reporting 296 farm attacks and 49 related murders in 2023. Many of the victims were described as elderly, isolated, and faced slow police responses. SAPS later noted that in 2024, farm-related murders increased to 44.
Highlighting the severity of the crimes, the DRL emphasized that many of these incidents involved extreme violence without robbery, suggesting motives beyond poverty. One case involved a man attacked with a machete, and another saw an elderly woman repeatedly stabbed, with no evidence of theft.
The Bureau further pointed to a 2023 incident where attackers reportedly chanted “Kill the Boer, the farmer” while carrying out a stabbing. The report linked these chants to political rhetoric, noting that some South African leaders have used similar slogans without condemnation. Graffiti praising such leaders was also found on a farmhouse before an attack.
Magwenya countered that the DRL report ignored official SAPS crime data and lacked meaningful insights. “The report offers nothing new. We are well aware of the crime challenges in rural areas and are actively addressing them,” he said.
AfriForum spokesperson Jacques Broodryk welcomed the report, asserting that the farm attacks were intentional and politically motivated. However, violence monitor Mary de Haas rejected this view, stating that crime in South Africa impacts all communities regardless of race. She criticized the report for its narrow focus and alleged that it was politicized.
Moreover, she said that while neglecting the fact that Black people make up the majority of victims of violent crime in South Africa, this skewed narrative singles out white farmers. According to Haas, the actual genocide is occurring in Gaza, not here—this seems to be revenge for South Africa’s action against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Political analyst Sandile Swana added that the investigation unfairly highlights the white minority and overlooks the broader socio-economic struggles faced by Black South Africans. He described the report as unbalanced and lacking evidence, suggesting it serves to bolster Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Journalist-Kgopotso@thepostnews.net
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