State Department Accuses South Africa of Endangering Afrikaners Amid Farm Attacks

The U.S. State Department has strongly criticized South Africa and some of its politicians, alleging that they are endangering the lives of Afrikaners, people of European descent, through incitement to race-based violence. This comes in the wake of two recent attacks on White farmers near Johannesburg.

A 50-year-old farmer was reportedly tortured in an attack approximately 80 miles from Johannesburg, while a 55-year-old female farmer was allegedly beaten to death while opening a gate in the same North West Province. In both incidents, victims' vehicles and belongings were reportedly stolen.

"The lives and property of Afrikaners have been endangered by politicians who incite race-based violence against them," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The spokesperson added that the U.S. has urged senior South African government officials to condemn incitement to race-based violence, specifically citing the singing of the song "Kill the Farmer! Kill the Boer!"

Corné Mulder, leader of the opposition party Freedom Front Plus, described the attack on the 50-year-old farmer as "unthinkable," stating that perpetrators "tried to castrate him." Mulder claimed that recent farm attacks are fueled by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's refusal to heed calls to stop the singing of "Kill the Boer."

Ramaphosa has previously stated he cannot ban the song, citing a court ruling that the lyrics do not constitute hate speech. However, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell III asserted that the South African president could ban the song if he chose to.

Ian Cameron, chair of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Police, detailed the violence, describing the attack on the male farmer as involving "extraordinary cruelty," with reports of him being shot, stabbed, and having his ears cut off. Cameron also recounted witnessing farm attack scenes where victims were tortured with boiling water and other horrific abuse.

The State Department also accused South African politicians of threatening to confiscate farms without compensation and supporting a "corrupt, race-based scoring system that discriminates against Afrikaners and other minorities in employment." The department stated that the lack of a meaningful response from the South African government indicates a disregard for a constructive relationship with the United States and a willingness to continue oppressive policies.

According to reports, nearly 13,000 South African refugees, predominantly Afrikaners, have been resettled in the U.S. during fiscal year 2026, with an additional 17,500 expected in fiscal year 2027. The State Department noted that the U.S. is prioritizing the resettlement of Afrikaners escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination.

Opposition figures like Mulder have criticized the South African government for not prioritizing rural crime and farm attacks, and for the alleged lack of acknowledgement or sympathy from the President regarding these incidents.