Recent South African crime statistics reveal only two farmers were killed over six months, contradicting US President Donald Trump's assertions of targeted violence against white Afrikaners. The data, released on 28 November 2025, also highlight rising drug crimes and gang violence, amid political controversies. President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Trump's claims as baseless allegations of genocide.
South Africa's official crime statistics for the six months from April to September 2025 were released in two batches on 28 November, shedding light on the nation's lawbreaking patterns while intertwined with political debates. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia emphasized the need for a professional police service free from political interference, stating, “We need a professional police service which acts outside of the political process without fear or favour.” This comes amid ongoing investigations into drug cartel infiltration, including the Madlanga Commission and a parliamentary committee, which led to former Minister Senzo Mchunu's special leave over denied collusion accusations.
A key flashpoint involves US President Donald Trump's repeated criticisms of South Africa. On 26 November, Trump posted on social media that the US skipped the recent G20 Summit in Gauteng because the South African government was “killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them.” Ramaphosa responded that the US stance was unfortunate and based on “baseless and false allegations that South Africa is perpetrating genocide against Afrikaners and the confiscation of land from white people.” The statistics show 139 murders on farms and agricultural land during the period, but only two under the category of farmers killed, alongside five farm employees, eight residents, two shepherds, and one unspecified victim. No racial details were provided, undermining claims of targeted genocide.
Broader figures underscore other crises: 632 gang-related murders nationwide, with 575 in the Western Cape, fueling political tensions between the ANC-led national government and DA-controlled province. Drug-related crimes totaled 108,135 over six months, rising to 56,403 in the July-September quarter from 30,224 in 2021. Police highlighted a R350-million crystal methamphetamine lab shutdown in Mpumalanga in September, arresting five Mexican suspects. Wildlife crimes included 61 rhino incidents and 71 abalone cases in the same quarter. These stats intersect with politics, from alleged gang ties to ministerial changes, like Dion George's removal amid wildlife trafficking concerns.