United States accuses the South African government and some politicians of endangering the lives of white Afrikaners

The U.S. State Department said that the South African government and some politicians put the lives of white Afrikaners at risk following two brutal farm attacks.

On Monday, 5 October 2026, farmer Hannetjie van Zyl was struck over the head with such force that she succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital.

In the same month, Donovan Marx was the victim of a brutal attack where he was shot and stabbed, and his ears were cut off. He is now fighting for his life.

Fox News approached the U.S. State Department for comment on these attacks, and it made it clear that action is needed from the South African government.

“The lives and property of Afrikaners have been endangered by politicians who incite race-based violence against them,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the United States has demanded South African officials condemn the incitement of violence against white farmers.

There was a strong focus on the ‘Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer’ chant, which EFF leader Julius Malema uses at mass rallies.

However, President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to condemn this chant, saying it was protected under the Constitution.

The State Department spokesperson added that South African politicians threaten to confiscate white people’s farms without compensation.

“They support a corrupt, race-based scoring system that discriminates against Afrikaners and other minorities in employment.”

The spokesperson said that United States President Donald Trump has demanded South Africa formally designate rural crime as a priority crime.

He also asked for alternatives to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment ownership requirements, such as equity equivalent investment programs.

However, Ramaphosa initially ignored the United States’ requests. When pushed for a response, he did not address them.

“This made it clear that the South African government does not want a constructive relationship with the United States,” the spokesperson said.

“They are willing to continue pursuing oppressive policies that disadvantage all South Africans.”

Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder said President Cyril Ramaphosa should act

Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) leader Corne Mulder said these brutal farm attacks show that it is not a normal crime and that action is needed.

“These incidents once again confirm the gruesome reality of farm attacks in South Africa,” Mulder said.

“This is a reality that certain media outlets, opinion leaders, and government often deny or dismiss as ‘ordinary crime’.”

However, he said that the nature of the latest attacks proves once again that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes.

Mulder urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge and condemn the reality of farm murders in South Africa.

“Ramaphosa should unequivocally condemn the song ‘Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer’ by personally speaking out against it,” he said.

He added that those who are raising awareness of farm murders are increasingly labelled unpatriotic or far-right for informing the international community of it.

Mulder argued that the denial of the problem of farm murders in South Africa perpetuates the violence.

“The government and President Ramaphosa refuse to acknowledge the extent of farm attacks and declare it a priority crime,” Mulder said.

“This means that they fail to fulfil their primary constitutional duty to protect all the people of South Africa.”

He said that when a number of women were killed on the East Rand, Ramaphosa immediately condemned it, demanding that it should be prioritised.

It raises the question as to why the agricultural community and the killing of farmers do not deserve the same urgency and official condemnation.

“According to AfriForum, there were 184 farm attacks and 29 farm murders in 2025,” Mulder said.

“These figures would have been much higher if farmers and rural communities had not organised their own security structures.”

“Farm attacks are a reality, as are the violent consequences of hate speech and incitement such as ‘Kill the Boer’, which the President refuses to condemn.”