In a fiery rebuttal to international reports and political commentary, Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has fiercely dismissed allegations that white farmers primarily Afrikaners are facing violence or persecution in post-apartheid South Africa. Speaking in a recent interview with local newspapers, Malema described the claims as “fiction” and “drama,” accusing the United States and international media of deliberately misrepresenting South Africa’s realities.
“There’s no one who has been killed here in South Africa. It’s not true,” Malema declared emphatically. “There are no 49 Afrikaners who have left South Africa. You all know that it’s fiction, it’s drama. America, when it comes to drama, is number one.”
Malema’s statements come on the heels of comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that 49 Afrikaner farmers were being admitted to the United States as refugees due to what he called “genocide.” Trump’s assertion that white farmers are being systematically killed in South Africa sparked international debate and drew criticism from both the South African government and civil society groups.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Trump said, “In post-apartheid South Africa, white farmers are being killed. It’s genocide, and we will be addressing this with the South African leadership next week.” He added that his administration was moving to provide sanctuary for what he described as a persecuted group.
However, these claims have been firmly refuted by the South African government, local analysts, and even by Afrikaner advocacy group AfriForum, which—despite often criticizing the government—stated that while farm attacks are a concern, they are not being addressed with the urgency required but do not amount to genocide.
In a strongly worded response, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation described the U.S. allegations as “completely false,” adding that such comments were based on misinformation and an inaccurate view of South African society.
“Afrikaners remain among the most economically successful and privileged communities in the country,” a spokesperson from the department stated. “We reject the idea that they are being systematically targeted.”
Malema also addressed the purported resettlement of the 49 Afrikaner farmers to the United States, questioning the veracity of the story and its implications.
“If those people were farmers, it would mean there are 49 farms available,” he said. “Why are we not expropriating them because they have abandoned them? But why is the media not telling us this? Why doesn’t the media, through its own investigation, tell us who the real farmers are?”
Known for his outspoken stance on land reform and wealth redistribution, Malema has long argued that the economic imbalances left by apartheid continue to deprive the Black majority of their rightful share of land and resources. The EFF has been a vocal advocate for land expropriation without compensation—a policy that has ignited both domestic and international controversy.
“South Africans are simply demanding justice and equality,” Malema emphasized. “International bodies, including the United States, must not use the land issue as a tool to suppress those who are fighting for fairness.”
Malema also warned against the dangers of external interference in domestic matters, urging global powers not to fall for what he described as orchestrated narratives designed to undermine African self-determination.
“There is a concerted effort to paint South Africans—especially Black South Africans—as violent and incapable of governance,” he said. “This narrative is not only false but also dangerous.”
The EFF leader has a long history of challenging entrenched economic power structures and has often positioned himself as a revolutionary figure, willing to confront both local and international institutions in the fight for African liberation. His dismissal from the African National Congress (ANC) in 2012 only intensified his rhetoric and deepened his resolve to advocate for radical transformation.
While Malema’s remarks have drawn applause from his supporters, critics argue that his approach inflames racial tensions and undermines investor confidence. Nonetheless, his views continue to resonate with a large segment of the population frustrated by slow economic progress and persistent inequality.
Farm attacks in South Africa—while a real issue affecting both Black and white farmers—are part of a broader national crime problem rather than targeted racial violence, according to several local experts. In 2024, crime statistics showed that farm attacks accounted for a small fraction of overall violent crimes, with victims across various racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
“There is no evidence to support the idea of genocide or systemic persecution of white farmers,” said Dr. Nomusa Dlamini, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg. “Unfortunately, these kinds of exaggerated narratives often serve political agendas rather than truth.”
AfriForum, one of the most prominent organizations representing Afrikaners, has also urged caution. While the group acknowledges the seriousness of farm attacks, it has repeatedly emphasized that these should not be misused to stoke racial fears or justify international intervention.
As the debate continues, Malema’s comments have added fuel to an already charged conversation—one that touches on race, land ownership, historical injustice, and global political dynamics.
In the meantime, South Africa’s government has reiterated its commitment to addressing land reform through legal and constitutional means, while calling on international partners to engage constructively rather than resorting to sensationalism.
“The land question is deeply emotional and historically complex,” said a government spokesperson. “We urge our international partners to respect our sovereignty and to support our efforts to build a more equitable and united South Africa.”
