In a recent interview with local newspapers, Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), strongly denied claims that white farmers—mostly Afrikaners—are being attacked in large numbers in the country.
Malema called the stories “fiction” and “drama.” He also criticized the United States for deciding to resettle 49 Afrikaners, saying the claims are false and part of a larger media story that isn’t based on facts.
“No one has been killed here in South Africa. It’s not true,” Malema said. “There are no 49 Afrikaners who left South Africa. Everyone knows this is just fiction and drama. And when it comes to drama, America is the best at it.”
Recommended
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier said he would accept the 49 Afrikaners as refugees because of a so-called “genocide” in South Africa. He claimed white farmers were being killed and that he would talk to South African leaders about the issue.
But South Africa’s government, local experts, and even the Afrikaner group AfriForum disagreed with Trump. They said farm attacks are happening but are not as widespread as reported, and the government is not ignoring them.
The South African government also said the U.S. claims were false and based on wrong information. They pointed out that Afrikaners are still among the wealthiest and most successful people in the country.
Malema also questioned the media’s role in spreading these stories. He said if 49 farmers had really left the country, their land should now be free for others to use.
“If they were real farmers, that means there are 49 farms left behind,” Malema said. “So why haven’t we taken back those farms? Why isn’t the media asking who the real farmers are?”
He also warned international groups, including the U.S., not to use land issues to silence South Africans who are fighting for justice and equal rights.
Malema, who was removed from the ruling African National Congress party in 2012, has been pushing for land reforms—a move that has sparked criticism both at home and abroad.
