South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as the deliberate distortion of facts to promote unfounded claims of “white genocide” in South Africa. The comments come in response to renewed rhetoric by Trump alleging systemic violence against white farmers in the country—a narrative that has been widely debunked by local authorities, independent researchers, and international observers.
Speaking during a press briefing in Johannesburg, Cele condemned Trump’s recent remarks as reckless, misleading, and politically motivated. “Once again, former President Trump has chosen to twist facts for sensationalism, ignoring data and reality in order to push a divisive and false narrative,” Cele stated. “There is no genocide in South Africa. We do not take lightly such dangerous misinformation.”
Trump’s claims, first made in 2018 and revived recently during a campaign rally, allege that the South African government has failed to protect white farmers from violent attacks and is intentionally seizing their land. The issue, he suggested, is part of a broader campaign of “anti-white racism” in the country.
However, South African officials and human rights organizations have repeatedly refuted these claims. Crime statistics from South Africa show that violence affects citizens across all racial groups, with farm attacks representing a fraction of overall violent crime. Land reform policies, while controversial and politically sensitive, are being handled through legal frameworks, not racial targeting.
Cele emphasized that Trump’s statements not only misrepresent the country’s reality but also risk inflaming racial tensions and damaging international relations. “South Africa is a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. These types of comments are not only irresponsible—they’re dangerous,” he said.
Political analysts view Trump’s focus on South Africa as part of a broader strategy to stoke fear and identity politics among his conservative base, particularly white nationalist and far-right groups who have long echoed similar conspiracy theories about South African land reform.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) also weighed in, accusing Trump of interfering in domestic matters and attempting to score political points using falsehoods. “It is regrettable that a former leader of a global superpower continues to use South Africa as a political prop in his disinformation campaigns,” an ANC spokesperson said.
The South African Human Rights Commission and AgriSA, a major agricultural industry body, have both confirmed that while farm attacks are a serious concern, they are criminal in nature—not racially motivated or organized as genocide.
Trump’s comments have sparked international backlash in the past, including from the U.S. State Department, which previously clarified that it had found no evidence to support his genocide claims.
As Trump continues his campaign activities leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, global leaders and fact-checkers are increasingly on alert for the spread of disinformation rooted in racial narratives. South African officials have made it clear they will not allow their country to be mischaracterized for foreign political gain.
Source : Swifteradio.com
