Fact check: What are the official South African government statistics on farm murders by race?

1. Summary of the results

The South African Police Service (SAPS) officially does not routinely categorize crime statistics by race ^[1]. However, for Q4 2025, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu provided specific racial demographics for farm murders, recording a total of 6 incidents with the following breakdown:

• 2 Black farm owners
• 2 Black farm employees
• 1 Black farm manager
• 1 White farm dweller ^[1]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points need to be considered:

• The government is actively working with organizations like AfriForum to verify farm murder statistics ^[2]
• Preliminary verification of AfriForum's submitted list has confirmed only one farm owner murder that matches official SAPS statistics ^[2]
• The minister has explicitly stated that farm murders have historically included more African victims than suggested by some narratives ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself may reflect common misconceptions about farm murders in South Africa:

• The assumption that official statistics are routinely categorized by race, when they are not ^[1]
• The implicit connection to the "White genocide" narrative, which the Police Minister has explicitly challenged with current data showing that most victims are Black ^[1]

Those promoting narratives about targeted racial violence against white farmers may have political motivations, while the government benefits from demonstrating a more complex reality. The ministry's emphasis on transparency and verification ^[2] suggests an attempt to counter potentially misleading narratives about farm murders in South Africa.