A South African high court has ruled that there is no factual basis for the so-called “White Genocide” in the country. The court called the claim “completely misleading and politically motivated.” The ruling comes at a time when there is ongoing debate about the killing of farmers and the security situation in South Africa, especially allegations of violence against white farmers.
Some right-wing organizations in South Africa and foreign right-wing leaders have long alleged that white farmers are being systematically killed in the country. According to them, this violence is not just a simple crime, but is part of a racial oppression against whites.
These claims have been gaining international traction since 2010, when there was a spike in farmer killings in various parts of South Africa. Some reports suggest that the attacks on farmers are often extremely brutal and planned.
Far-right groups argue that farmers are being targeted and that it is a racially motivated genocide. Many foreign right-wing figures, particularly some politicians in the United States and Australia, have supported this claim and have offered to accept white South Africans as refugees.
The South African Supreme Court has clearly stated in a ruling on this case that there is no basis for the claim of "white genocide". The judges said,
"There are incidents of violent crimes in the country, but they do not amount to ethnic persecution or genocide. These claims are part of false propaganda, which can cause social unrest and division."
The court said that security challenges exist in South Africa, but that it is not just whites who are the victims, but people of all ethnic groups are being victimized by crime.
South Africa has a relatively high rate of violent crime. The country experiences thousands of murders each year. According to 2023 statistics, South Africa has a homicide rate of 36 per 100,000 people, which is much higher than the global average.
The murder rate among farmers is also higher than that of other professions, but the main reasons for these murders have been identified as robbery, land grabbing, personal enmity and common crimes. The judges said,
“The killing of farmers is a serious matter, but it is wrong to portray it as an example of racial oppression specifically. In addition to farmers, many black people are also victims of similar violence.”
According to analysts, the safety net in South Africa's agricultural sector is weak and the government needs to take effective action in this regard.
This verdict has received mixed reactions from various quarters.
✅ South African government The court's ruling was welcomed and the campaign of "white genocide" was misleading and targeted. The government said its priority was to ensure the safety of all citizens.
✅ Anti-racist organizations It said the ruling was an important step against "attempts to spread misinformation."
❌ Right-wing organizations It called the ruling “politically motivated” and said that violence against farmers is a real problem that should not be denied.
There has also been a reaction from the international community on this issue.
🇦🇺 Australia: In 2018, some Australian politicians proposed providing refugee benefits to white farmers in South Africa, which caused controversy at the time.
🇺🇸 United States: Former President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into allegations of land grabbing and violence against white farmers in South Africa in 2018. However, the United States has not yet issued an official response to the court ruling.
Although the South African court has declared the claim of "white genocide" to be baseless with this ruling, it is certain that the debate will not end here.
✅ The government must take stricter measures to ensure the safety of farmers.
✅ Awareness campaigns are needed to reduce social divide.
✅ The international community should provide accurate information about the real situation in South Africa and prevent misleading propaganda.
According to analysts, the court's ruling is an important milestone for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and will play an important role in future political and social policymaking.
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