Fact check: Are white farmers being killed in south africa

1. Summary of the results

The data conclusively shows that while farm murders do occur in South Africa, claims of widespread killings or genocide of white farmers are false. Official statistics show:

• Approximately 49-50 farm murders occurred in 2023 ^[1]
• The average over the last decade has been 50-63 murders per year ^[1]
• Total farm murders between October 2023-September 2024 were 447, averaging 1.22 people per day ^[1]
• Only 36 out of 19,696 murders (0.2%) were linked to farms, with just 7 victims being farmers ^[2]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual points emerge from the analyses:

• Farm attacks affect farmers of all races, not just white farmers ^[3]
• White farmers are disproportionately impacted because they own 72% of farmland ^[3]
• In a recent quarter, two farm owners were killed - both were African, not white ^[4]
• The primary motive for farm attacks is robbery, not racial targeting ^[5]
• These incidents represent less than 1% of over 27,000 annual murders nationwide ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Several forms of misinformation have been spread:

• A viral claim stating "60 white farmers killed daily" has been thoroughly debunked ^[1]
• Visual "evidence" of white crosses supposedly representing murdered farmers was actually from a 2020 protest, not actual murders ^[6]
• The Police Minister has explicitly stated that genocide claims are "totally unfounded and unsubstantiated" ^[4]
• South African farmers themselves have denied claims of genocide ^[6]

This narrative has been amplified by various groups, including international political figures like Trump ^[6], potentially to advance political agendas or create racial tension. The reality is that while farm attacks are a serious concern, they are primarily criminal rather than racially motivated, and affect farmers of all races in South Africa.