President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that there is an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers in South Africa, labelling such allegations as unfounded and inflammatory.
Trump reignited controversy during recent talks by showing a video of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema chanting “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer,” a phrase with origins in South Africa’s apartheid-era liberation struggle. Trump, mistakenly identifying Malema as a member of government, questioned why the opposition politician had not been arrested.
Responding to the remarks on Tuesday, Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s constitutional commitment to free speech, stating the slogan—while provocative—must be understood in its historical context.
“It’s not meant to be a message that elicits or calls upon anyone to be killed,” Ramaphosa told reporters. “We are a country where freedom of expression is embedded in our constitutional framework.”
The chant, which continues to spark outrage nearly three decades after the end of apartheid in 1994, has been the subject of legal battles with some groups attempting to classify it as hate speech. South African courts have previously ruled that the slogan, when used in political contexts, does not incite violence.
Malema, known for his firebrand rhetoric and leadership of the Marxist-inspired EFF, has long courted controversy for his statements on land expropriation. In the video shown by Trump, Malema is also seen declaring, “We are going to occupy land, we require no permission.”
Trump has used such statements to fuel his long-standing claim that South Africa’s land reform policies are targeting white farmers.
However, Ramaphosa reiterated that the country’s land expropriation laws are guided by legal principles and judicial oversight. The revised Expropriation Bill, he explained, includes a “nil compensation” clause applicable only in limited, clearly defined circumstances—such as abandoned properties, untraceable owners, or where land is required for the public good.
“Even in such cases, efforts must be made to reach a just and equitable settlement,” Ramaphosa said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the current government of national unity, has launched a legal challenge against the “nil compensation” clause, arguing that it opens the door to potential abuse.
As debate over land reform and historical redress continues, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of navigating these issues within the framework of constitutional democracy—not through fear-mongering or misinformation.