Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is verifying crime data following claims by AfriForum that the government underreported farm murders.
Police Minister confirms farm murder statistics are being verified
The lobby group submitted evidence alleging that eight farm murders occurred between October and December 2024, contradicting SAPS’s official crime statistics, which recorded only one case.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mchunu said SAPS’s Crime Registrar is investigating the cases AfriForum submitted.
“Preliminary findings indicate that, of the incidents listed, only one murder of a farm owner is reflected. This corresponds with the single case reported in the official crime statistics for the third quarter,” he said.
However, he assured that the verification process remains ongoing.
AfriForum has accused SAPS of deliberately downplaying farm murders.
“The minister questioned and reiterated the latest statistics by SAPS, which show only one farm murder in three months. We dispute this figure,” the group said.
AfriForum’s chief spokesperson for community safety, Jacques Broodryk, claimed the minister is ignoring the reality of farm attacks.
“Minister Mchunu’s claim communicates to families of the victims that farm murders are not a priority. We cannot allow politicking to take precedence over the reality of murders and the intolerable levels of crime in South Africa,” he said.
The Ministry of Police has insisted that it remains committed to transparency and accurate crime reporting, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure that statistics are verifiable.
“Law enforcement agencies continue to address crimes affecting all communities, including those in rural and farming areas, with the seriousness they deserve,” the ministry stated.
AfriForum unfazed by Hawks’ high treason case
While challenging SAPS’s farm murder statistics, AfriForum is also at the centre of a high treason investigation.
Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya recently confirmed that four cases of high treason had been opened against organisations that sought US intervention against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC government.
“There are four dockets opened by different people, maybe different political parties, that concern individuals who may have crossed the border and communicated matters that could be considered high treason,” Lebeya said.
AfriForum, whose leadership reportedly engaged with US lawmakers about farm murders, denies any knowledge of formal charges.
The group’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, said he learned about the case from the media.
“We have not received any formal notification regarding charges. If there is an investigation, we will respond accordingly,” Kriel stated.
Despite the controversy, AfriForum has continued pressing the police minister to take farm murders seriously.
Meanwhile, SAPS says it will provide further updates on the farm murder statistics once the verification process is completed.