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The South African government has strongly rejected the US State Department’s recent report which claims racially motivated attacks are escalating on the country’s farms. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) issued a firm statement on Tuesday, labelling the report as “inaccurate, misleading, and politically motivated.”
According to the US report, farm attacks are part of a concerning trend of racially driven violence, with white farmers allegedly being targeted. However, Dirco maintains that crime in South Africa affects all communities and that the report fails to reflect the complexities of rural violence.
“We reject any attempts to racialise crime in South Africa,” Dirco said, adding that “there is no statistical evidence supporting the claim that farm attacks are disproportionately targeting any one group based on race.”
Minister Naledi Pandor described the report as “an unwarranted intervention” and called on the US to respect South Africa’s sovereignty. She added that the government continues to work closely with agricultural unions and law enforcement to address rural safety issues holistically.
The statement also accused the US government of using outdated or anecdotal sources without verifying facts on the ground.
In recent years, the issue of farm attacks has become a flashpoint in South African politics, often inflamed by international media and far-right groups abroad. Locally, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has acknowledged violence in rural areas but insists such incidents are part of broader crime patterns, not racially motivated campaigns.
Dirco reiterated South Africa’s commitment to non-racialism, social cohesion, and strengthening global partnerships. The Department said it had conveyed its dissatisfaction through diplomatic channels and was engaging with the US Embassy.
The statement concluded with a call for “responsible reporting and diplomacy grounded in mutual respect and factual accuracy.”
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