Most murders do not happen on South African farms – despite claims by US President Donald Trump that white farmers are under attack – a narrative not supported by the country’s crime data.

In the last quarter of 2024, more than 6,000 murders were recorded nationwide, according to official police statistics. Just 96 took place on farms, plots, and small holdings – a broad category that likely includes farm workers and nearby residents, not just landowners or “white farmers.” In contrast, 244 murders took place in pubs, taverns, and bottle stores. Public places saw the highest number of murders (3,821), followed by private homes (1,966).

The majority of South Africa’s murder victims are young Black men. As Gareth Newham of the Institute for Security Studies explains,“Murder victimisation is far more correlated to class, gender and location than race.”