JOHANNESBURG – South Africa claims its recent report released by the US State Department claims that human rights abuses on farms are “inaccurate and deeply flawed.”
“We feel that this report is an inaccurate, deeply flawed explanation that does not reflect the reality of our constitutional democracy,” said SA's Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
“Reliance on reports A-context information and unreliable accounts is highly concerning.
“It cites cases involving the death of a farm worker and presents it as an extrajudicial killing, despite issues actively arbitrated by our independent judiciary.”
In a strongly spoken statement released on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the ministry said the report on the matter was also a fundamental distortion of the facts as it was formally arrested in court.
“Similarly, there hasn't been a police case using troops because institutions designed to protect democracy are actively investigating whether legitimate processes are being followed and whether such troops have been justified,” he said.
The statement added: “South Africa operates a transparent system that allows information to be freely available from constitutionally mandated law enforcement and Chapter 9 agencies to protect and advance human rights.
“It is ironic that reports from countries that have left the UN Human Rights Council and are not accountable under the multilateral peer review system attempt to produce unilateral, fact-free reports without legitimate processes or involvement.
“This is especially true given important and documented concerns about human rights within the United States, such as the treatment and violation of refugees by their own agencies, such as ice.
“Please note the recent evaluation from the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, in stark contrast to the US report.”
The unfounded allegations of human rights abuse surfaced shortly after the introduction of laws regulating property expropriation in South Africa earlier this year.
However, the UN described the South African Land Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as “an important step in addressing the country's racially disproportionate land ownership.”
The ministry said: “This recognition from major UN human rights groups emphasizes the integrity of the legislative process aimed at correcting historical injustice in a constitutional and human rights-based way.
“We're compiling a series of documents to provide a complete and accurate image. This will be published because it's published during the week.”
The ministry said rough readings of reports from the South African Human Rights Commission and the UN Human Rights Council, as well as articles from reputable news outlets, including AFP, will help correct the distortion and set a straightforward record of South Africa's unwavering commitment to human rights.
The department said the following information was distorted by the US report:
1. Incorrect data from South Africa distorts complex images of South Africa: https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.36zd7hy//https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-claims-of-white-genocide-in-south-africa
2. Tears and anger in South Africa accused of pig farm murder free: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24z9q10lm5o
3. The President's response to the July outbreak: https://www.gov.za/news/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-statement–south-african-human-rights-commission
“We remain open to addressing these distortions through diplomatic channels,” Fili said.
