White South Africans are divided regarding claims of targeted persecution and a US offer of refugee status. This follows an executive order signed earlier this year by then-President Donald Trump prioritizing the resettlement of Afrikaner South Africans and other victims of discrimination in their home countries. The US reduced its yearly refugee intake to 7,500 from 125,000.
Farmer Perspectives on Safety
Marthinus, a white Afrikaner farmer in the rural Free State province, maintains security measures on his farm, including electric steel gates, cameras, and barbed wire. He applied for refugee status in the US, citing concerns for his family's safety due to farm attacks. Marthinus reported that his grandfather and his wife's grandfather were both murdered in farm attacks. He is located two hours from where 21-year-old farm manager Brendan Horner was found deceased five years prior.
Thabo Makopo, a black farmer in Ficksburg, also expressed concerns about farm attacks, describing perpetrators as young, armed, and dangerous individuals targeting livestock. Makopo stated that all farmers in the province, regardless of race, are at risk.
Morgan Barrett, a white farmer whose family has owned a 2,000-acre farm for six generations, employs private security and conducts night patrols due to crime, including recent cattle theft. Barrett stated he does not believe attacks in his area are exclusively against white individuals, suggesting criminals target perceived wealth regardless of race.
Crime and Security in South Africa
South Africa experiences high rates of violent crime. In the first quarter of 2025, an average of 63 murders occurred daily. While this represented a decrease from the same period in 2024, the country's homicide rate remains among the highest globally. Police response times to crime reports are a acknowledged concern. Consequently, South Africans increasingly rely on private security, with over 630,000 active security guards, a figure exceeding the combined personnel of the police and army.
"White Genocide" Claims and Official Data
Claims of a