AfriForum calls for international sanctions against Julius Malema over his support of the Kill the Boer chant in South Africa

The long-standing debate over the Kill the Boer chant has reignited tensions in South Africa, with lobby group AfriForum now pushing for international sanctions against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

This move comes in the wake of a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld a previous decision stating that the struggle song does not constitute hate speech.

Why AfriForum Wants Sanctions Against Malema

AfriForum leader Kallie Kriel recently took to social media, sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter) where he laid out the group’s demands for governments worldwide to take punitive action against Malema.

Kriel insists that chanting Kill the Boer constitutes a human rights violation, and he is urging diplomatic pressure on the South African government to officially condemn the chant.

Kriel also revealed that AfriForum has compiled a dossier detailing serious allegations against Malema and his associates.

According to him, the document highlights three key accusations:

1. Human rights abuses tied to the chant and its implications.
2. Support for terrorist organizations, allegedly demonstrated by Malema and his party.
3. Corruption allegations involving Malema and other EFF members.

“This international action is necessary because the Constitutional Court has failed to protect Afrikaners and farmers from incitement to violence,” Kriel stated.

South Africa’s Highest Court Upholds the Ruling

Following the ConCourt ruling, the EFF welcomed the decision, claiming victory in what they described as an attempt by AfriForum to distort history.

The party argued that the song is a liberation anthem, deeply tied to the resistance against apartheid and that AfriForum’s case was a frivolous attempt to silence Black South Africans and rewrite history.

“Their efforts to criminalize a song that played a significant role in the fight against white minority rule are part of a broader attempt to erase historical injustices and paint themselves as victims,” the EFF stated in response.

Elon Musk Joins the Call for Action Against Malema

The controversy has also drawn international attention.

In February 2025, billionaire Elon Musk publicly called for Malema to be declared an international criminal, questioning why President Cyril Ramaphosa had not taken action against him.

Musk went further, suggesting sanctions against Malema, claiming that his rhetoric encourages violence against white South Africans.

His statements added to an already heated debate about freedom of speech, historical context, and the limits of political expression.

What’s Next for the Debate?

With AfriForum’s campaign now in motion, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond.

Will governments impose sanctions on Malema? Will South Africa’s leadership step in to address the growing tensions?

For now, the issue continues to spark heated discussions online and across political circles, keeping South Africa’s political and racial dynamics under the global spotlight.