South Africa refutes Trump's claims on farmer murders
South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu presented data to refute Donald Trump's claims about the murder of white farmers in the country. Of the six killed this year, only one was white.
What do you need to know?
- Crime statistics in South Africa: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that in the first quarter of 2025, six farmers were murdered, five of whom were indigenous Africans.
- Response to Trump's claims: Mchunu aimed to counter Donald Trump's claims about the murder of white farmers, emphasizing that only one of the victims was white.
- Political context: The data was presented following the visit of South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa to the White House, where Trump raised the issue of alleged genocide. This occurred during their meeting broadcast.
What are the details of the statistics?
Minister Senzo Mchunu presented quarterly statistics on crimes committed on farms in South Africa. From January to March 2025, there were six attacks resulting in the deaths of six farmers. Of this number – as Mchunu states – five were black farmers, and only one was white.
In the previous quarter, from October to December 2024, there were 12 murders, of which again only one victim was white.
Why is the term "genocide" controversial?
Minister Mchunu criticised the use of the term "genocide" in the context of farm crimes, claiming it results from false information spread by the media and the White House.
He emphasised that the story of "genocide" is entirely unfounded and unverified. Mchunu stated that South Africa respects the USA, but not this narrative.
"It is claimed that there is 'white genocide' in South Africa, and as evidence, a lot of materials have been put into circulation, including in the White House, in the US. These materials include pictures of crosses along a particular road, to name a few," he said.
