A South African high court has ruled that claims of a “white genocide” in the country are entirely imagined and have no basis in reality.
The ruling came as part of a legal decision invalidating a controversial will, in which Grantland Michael Bray, a deceased South African man, left £1.7 million (R40 million) to the far-right group Boerelegioen (BL).
Bray had designated the funds to support BL’s training programs, which he believed would “exterminate every black person in South Africa.”
The organization has portrayed itself as a civil defense group that prepares white citizens for an alleged impending mass slaughter, a claim that the court dismissed outright.
Judge Calls Out Fearmongering
Judge Rosheni Allie, who presided over the case, emphasized that Bray had been manipulated into believing in a white genocide through fearmongering by BL.
The group falsely linked the murders of white farmers to a broader campaign of ethnic extermination.
The judge made it clear that no credible evidence supports the notion that white people in South Africa are facing genocide.
The court’s ruling was delivered on February 15, just a week after former U.S. President Donald Trump cut all aid to South Africa, citing alleged human rights violations against the white minority.
Trump’s claims mirrored those made by Elon Musk, who has been vocal about his belief that South African authorities are anti-white and even encourage violence against them.
Crime Statistics Debunk Genocide Claims
Despite these high-profile assertions, official crime statistics tell a different story.
In 2023, 49 white farmers or their family members were murdered in South Africa.
This represents just 0.18% of the country’s 27,000 recorded murders that year.
The numbers provide no support for the claim that white South Africans are being systematically targeted or eliminated.
Trump’s decision to halt aid followed the signing of the Expropriation Act by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This law grants the government the power to redistribute land in cases where it is deemed in the public interest, aiming to address historical land dispossession from the apartheid era.
The White House denounced the law as discriminatory against Afrikaners, the white descendants of Dutch settlers who, despite making up only 7% of the population, still own approximately 72% of the country’s private farmland.
The Controversy Surrounding Bray’s Will
Bray’s family described him as a racist with paranoid delusions, heavily influenced by the propaganda of far-right groups.
He had become wheelchair-bound at 26 following an accident during his compulsory military service under the apartheid regime.
According to his sister, Madeleine Gerntholtz, his physical dependence left him vulnerable to manipulation by BL members, who regularly visited him and reinforced his fears.
His caregivers reportedly warned him that BL was taking advantage of him, but he continued to believe he was an official member of the group.
In reality, BL’s manifesto states that only individuals of “Boer” blood can be members, and Bray did not meet this criterion.
Court Rejects Funding for Extremism
Judge Allie ruled that Bray’s bequest to BL was legally invalid, citing that the organization’s materials glorified apartheid, which contradicts South Africa’s constitution.
Furthermore, funding paramilitary and vigilante training is illegal in the country.
The court also noted that the will was unclear on which branch of BL was meant to receive the money.
Both Boerelegioen RSA (Pty) Ltd and the Boerelegioen NPC denied any intention to use the funds for racial violence.
With the will declared void, the £1.7 million set aside for BL will now be distributed through standard intestate succession laws.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Statements
The ruling comes amid renewed tensions surrounding race and land ownership in South Africa, fueled in part by Elon Musk’s public statements.
The tech billionaire has repeatedly accused South African political leaders of racism, particularly Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.
Musk has called Malema a “genocidal lunatic,” sharing an old video clip of him telling a crowd to “cut the throat of whiteness.”
The chant, historically used during the anti-apartheid struggle, has been defended by activists as a metaphor rather than a call for violence.
However, Musk and other critics argue that it incites attacks on white South Africans.
Back in 2023, Musk shared the clip on social media, writing, “They are openly pushing for genocide of white people in South Africa.”
Malema fired back, calling Musk “illiterate” and claiming his wealth and privilege shield him from the realities of South African politics.
What’s Next?
The court’s ruling against Bray’s bequest to BL sends a clear message that South Africa does not recognize the concept of white genocide.
However, the broader debates over land reform, race relations, and crime in the country remain highly charged.
With Trump’s proposed resettlement program for white South African farmers and Musk continuing to draw global attention to the issue, tensions are unlikely to subside anytime soon.
As South Africa moves forward, the challenge remains in balancing historical redress with economic stability, ensuring justice without deepening racial divides.
The latest court decision marks a significant legal stance against the weaponization of fear, but the political and social discourse surrounding these issues is far from over.