The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has announced its commitment to revising its initial statement on the 2024 US Human Rights Report, specifically regarding safety conditions in rural and farming communities in South Africa.

“The South African government wishes to set the record straight on this matter and to clarify what we believe is an inaccurate and distorted account of the facts,” the statement that was issued yesterday, reads.

This follows the report published by the United States Department of State last week, which claimed that South Africa’s human rights situation has significantly worsened over the past year.

It noted concerns regarding the signing of the Expropriation Bill, which was described as a troubling step toward land expropriation affecting white Afrikaners and further abuses against racial minorities in the country.

In January, President Cyril Ramaphosa promulgated the Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, which states that property may not be expropriated arbitrarily or for a purpose other than a public purpose or in the public interest, and is subject to just and equitable compensation.

The report criticised the South African government for its alleged mistreatment of Afrikaner farmers, highlighting significant human rights issues. It claimed there were credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions, and the repression of racial minorities.

However, Dirco said the nation’s foreign policy is guided by a commitment to a rules-based international system based on international law and a respect for human rights, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“It is within this framework that we address all forms of crime, which remain a significant challenge for all of our citizens, regardless of race or location. The suggestion that these crimes represent a concerted practice of racially motivated attacks, as insinuated by the US report, is not borne out by the facts.”

The department cited SAPS’ official statistics on rural safety for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, from January 1 to March 31, which it believes demonstrate this reality.

According to the figures, a total of six murder cases were reported in farming communities.

The department stated that the breakdown of the victims reveals that these crimes are not targeted against a single racial group, which included three employees, two farmers and one farm dweller.

“These figures underscore that violent crime in rural areas affects everyone who lives and works on farms and related rural areas. While the loss of any life is a tragedy, these statistics do not reveal a pattern of action driven by inflammatory racial rhetoric against a specific community.”

National Rural Safety Strategy

The government said it continues to implement a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to rural safety.

“Our National Rural Safety Strategy is a priority and is implemented in police station areas that serve rural and farming communities.”

By the end of the fourth quarter of 2024/25, the department said the country reported that 893 out of 900 identified rural police stations (99%) had fully implemented the strategy.

This initiative focuses on enhancing police capacity and fostering community involvement with key stakeholders, including traditional leaders.

In addition, the programme involves commercial farmers’ associations, including the African Farmers Association of South Africa, the National African Farmers’ Union, Agri-SA and its provincial structures, and the Transvaal Agricultural Union.

They also involve labour unions like the Food and Allied Workers Union and organisations advocating for the rights of farmworkers, as well as interest groups like AfriForum, the South African Agricultural Research Institute and Stop Attacks and Farm Murders.

Government said it is also strengthening public-private partnerships through initiatives like the Eyes and Ears programme, co-ordinated with Business Against Crime South Africa.

According to the department, this initiative leverages the private security industry’s technological and logistical capabilities to enhance the situational awareness of the SAPS and improve responses to rural crime.

“South Africa remains committed to a transparent and collaborative approach to addressing crime.

“We stand ready to engage with any nation on matters of mutual interest through established diplomatic channels, and we will continue to provide accurate, data-driven information to counter any misrepresentations of our domestic situation. There is a focus on the safety and security of all South Africans.” – SAnews.gov.za

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