Gareth Cliff’s Call To Investigate 44 Afrikaners Over Trump Letter Sparks Backlash

The Controversial Call

Broadcaster and media personality Gareth Cliff has once again found himself at the centre of controversy this time for suggesting that 44 Afrikaners who signed an open letter to former US President Donald Trump should be investigated.

The letter, originally penned to reject claims of “white genocide” and racial persecution in South Africa, was written in response to the United States’ decision to give white South Africans priority for refugee status. The signatories, made up of academics, journalists, and civil society figures, argued that such a policy painted a distorted picture of post-apartheid South Africa.

But Cliff’s reaction wasn’t about the content of the letter. It came after AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel claimed the letter was secretly orchestrated by the South African government, alleging that Karen Burger a supposed secret service employee now at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) was behind the project.

Cliff posted that “everyone on that list should be investigated,” setting off a firestorm of online debate.

The Response From Signatories

Among those quick to respond was veteran journalist Max du Preez, one of the letter’s initiators. He dismissed Kriel’s claims outright, saying he had never heard of Karen Burger until after AfriForum’s statement.

“AfriForum and reliable sources don’t belong in one sentence,” du Preez wrote. “Kriel is lying through his teeth. I was among the initiators and had never heard of Karen Burger by then.”

Du Preez’s rebuttal set the tone for what became a much broader debate about misinformation, political bias, and freedom of speech in South Africa’s public discourse.

Social Media Divided

Cliff’s post quickly gained traction, with South Africans across the political spectrum weighing in.

Some accused him of taking AfriForum’s claims at face value without doing proper research, while others argued that his stance undermined the democratic right to express dissenting views.

One user commented, “You guys love conspiracies when it suits your ultra-conservative agenda. You’re becoming less objective in your old age, Gareth.”

Another pointedly asked, “Investigated for what exactly?”

Others defended the signatories, calling Cliff’s stance “hypocritical” given his long-standing advocacy for free speech. “Maybe you should be investigated for thinking other Afrikaners can’t think for themselves,” one user wrote.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy comes at a time when conversations about race, identity, and political influence remain deeply charged in South Africa. The open letter itself aimed to counter narratives of victimhood among white South Africans a message that directly challenged organisations like AfriForum, which often highlight “minority persecution” in their activism.

For many observers, the clash between Gareth Cliff, Kallie Kriel, and Max du Preez isn’t just about a letter to Donald Trump. It’s about who gets to shape South Africa’s story in the global arena and how easily that story can be hijacked by politics and personality.

Commentary: When Free Speech Meets Political Theatre

Cliff’s call for an investigation reflects a growing tension in South Africa’s public debate: where does accountability end and political theatre begin?

While some argue that any claims of government interference deserve scrutiny, others see the outrage as misplaced energy one that risks silencing voices that challenge dominant narratives.

As one commenter summed it up: “The side trying to silence the opinions of others is the bad guys every time.”

{Source:Briefly}

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