‘No white genocide in South Africa,’ says DA leader Steenhuisen

DA leader John Steenhuisen has dismissed claims that South Africa is experiencing a white genocide, calling the narrative “false” and warning that it distracts from the country’s real crime problems.

Speaking to the Press Gallery Association on Thursday, Steenhuisen acknowledged the brutal nature of farm murders and rural crime, but said the statistics tell a different story.

“If one looks at the cold, hard numbers, it’s very clear where the crime problem is and who is bearing the burden,” he said. “We have white people murdered, yes, but we also have coloured, black, Indian, and South Asian South Africans being murdered. It’s not a white genocide, not at all.”

Steenhuisen made the remarks in response to US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims this week that South Africa is targeting white farmers. He said Trump has been fed misinformation about the country.

“Despite all the evidence to the contrary, the hard statistics, and many efforts to show this is not the case, that is his perception of the country,” Steenhuisen said. “He has a different agenda that he is pushing, and he’s not going to believe the truth because it doesn’t fit that agenda. You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

Crime and rural safety

The DA leader stressed that South Africa does have serious safety issues, particularly in rural areas. Farm attacks and violent crimes are real and often brutal, but they are part of a broader pattern of crime affecting communities across the country. Steenhuisen emphasised that framing the issue as racial genocide misrepresents reality and risks inflaming tensions unnecessarily.

South Africa’s international relationships

Steenhuisen also spoke about the broader diplomatic implications, referencing strained relations with the United States and controversial domestic decisions, such as the landing of the Lady R private jet, which angered allies.

“South Africa has made mistakes over the last 20 years,” he said. “Decisions like the Lady R have angered some of our allies, including the United States. But to take things that are not true and turn them into a ‘truth’ is unfair and not in the interest of either side.”

He stressed that strategic partnerships, particularly with the US, require trust and a shared understanding of national interest. “Our commitment to democracy, our constitution, and our Bill of Rights makes South Africa a solid partner on the continent. To eschew that based on false perceptions is a very sad day, and ultimately, the US will lose out if it does not engage with us in good faith.”

Reality versus perception

Steenhuisen’s comments highlight a tension between international perception and domestic realities. While South Africa faces serious social and economic challenges, he argued that misrepresentationsespecially those amplified abroaddo not reflect the country’s values or the true nature of its crime problems.

“Every country has its problems,” he said. “There are incredible things happening in South Africa, just as there are in the United States. But there are also terrible things. To judge us based on false information is unfair and counterproductive.”

His remarks have reignited debate on social media and in political circles, with many applauding his call for evidence-based discussion, while others continue to raise concerns about farm safety and rural security.

As South Africa navigates international scrutiny, Steenhuisen’s message is clear: the narrative of a white genocide is misleading, and the country’s focus must remain on genuine crime prevention, rural safety, and maintaining constructive diplomatic relationships.

{Source: IOL}

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