'Ramaphosa violating Genocide Convention on'Kill the Boer'
Lobby group AfriForum claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa's 'refusal' to condemn the chant 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' reflects double standards.
Ramaphosa on Tuesday said that 'Kill The Boer' is a 'liberation chant' and should not be taken literally.
It came a week after US President Donald Trump confronted the South African president by playing videos of EFF leader Julius Malema chanting 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer,' using them to support his unfounded claim of genocide against whites in South Africa.
In response, AfriForum argued that the ANC-led government's defence of the slogan, while passing judgment on similar rhetoric elsewhere in the world, highlighted inconsistencies in its interpretation of the United Nations' Genocide Convention.
'Double standards'
The lobby group based its statement on evidence presented by Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a member of South Africa's legal team, who led the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024.
'Ngcukaitobi argued that 'the intentional failure of the government of Israel to condemn, prevent and punish such genocidal incitement constitutes in itself a grave violation of the Genocide Convention,'' the lobby group said.
'Ngcukaitobi further argued that 'this failure to condemn, prevent and punish such speech by the government has served to normalise genocidal rhetoric' and has posed 'extreme danger for Palestinians within Israeli society,'' AfriForum said.
AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel described this as a case of 'double standard'.
'The ANC-led government's defence of the 'Kill the Boer' slogan, while passing judgment about similar calls elsewhere in the world as an intent to commit genocide, is evidence of double standards in their interpretation of the Genocide Convention.
Kriel pointed out that 'farm murder deniers' are trying 'very hard to downplay the serious nature of farm murders' after Trump's meeting with Ramaphosa.
'AfriForum has always focused on the serious nature of farm murders rather than engaging in semantic debates about the term 'genocide' but believes it has now become necessary to test the actions of Ramaphosa's government against their own standards regarding the meaning of genocide'.
ALSO READ: Piers Morgan slams Ramaphosa for defending 'Kill the Boer' chant [VIDEO]
AfriForum defeat
In March, AfriForum suffered a final blow in its attempt to have the controversial chant 'Kill the Boer, kill the farmer' declared as hate speech.
The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) delivered a brief ruling dismissing AfriForum's application for leave to appeal.
The Apex concluded that the application 'bears no reasonable prospects of success'.
ALSO READ: WATCH: 'Dim the lights' — Ramaphosa pokes fun at Trump meeting
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
14 minutes ago
- IOL News
KZN service providers to expose ‘tender rigging' in National School Nutrition Programme
NSNP service providers to speak on alleged wrongdoing in the awarding of tenders to supply meals to schools. Service providers who are contracted under the National School Nutrition Programme in KwaZulu-Natal are set to reveal on Tuesday how alleged 'tender rigging' led to contracts being awarded to politically connected individuals. The NSNP Service Providers Association will hold a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday. In a statement, the organisation said the critical briefing will address the ongoing developments and revelations surrounding tender rigging and corrupt practices within the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in KwaZulu-Natal. 'This urgent briefing will unpack recent findings, outline the modus operandi uncovered, and present the association's response and proposed actions to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the NSNP supply chain,' it said. MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, and other senior ANC leaders have come under fire amid allegations that the allocation of the tenders was rigged to favour those who are politically connected. It was alleged that those with close links to Hlomuka or to the ANC had been appointed to provide meals in schools. In an earlier statement, the NSNP Service Providers Association said it had uncovered widespread corruption and deliberate exclusion in the KZN Department of Education's tender for the school feeding programme. The association highlighted that despite raising repeated concerns, it has been deliberately excluded by the Office of the Premier from making formal submissions, undermining transparency and public accountability. Key findings the association said it had made included: Ghost companies, deregistered entities, and non-tax-compliant bidders being included in the award list. Awardees that failed locality requirements and others that never submitted bids. Politically exposed persons (PEPs) and officials — from DDGs to clerks and their close protectors — fronting companies that benefit from the tender. Bid documents that remain sealed, indicating pre-determined award THE MERCURY
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
MK Party sends legal letter to Ramaphosa over two acting police ministers
Manyane Manyane | Published 1 hour ago The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says South African taxpayers cannot afford to pay for two ministers in one portfolio as it accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of of violating his oath of office and failing to uphold the Constitution as required by that office. This was after Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Police Minister. MKP leader, Jacob Zuma, has also given Ramaphosa until 10am on Friday, August 8, to resign. In a letter dated August 4, Zuma said he will take action against Ramaphosa if he fails to adhere to the demand. Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said they were aware of the letter. 'The legal team will deal with that letter,' he said. The letter from KMNS attorneys, who act on behalf of Zuma, comes after the Constitutional Court last week dismissed the MKP's application to have a direct access to challenge Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence, appointing Cachalia as acting police minister and establishing a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the corruption allegations in the police and judiciary. 'Various reasons have been offered in respect of the decisions which were impugned by our client and uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the Constitutional Court which found that it lacked exclusive jurisdiction and/or has no basis to grant the requested direct access. "As a result, our client has or sought urgent advice on possibly taking the relevant dispute(s) to the High Court and/or any other appropriate forum. It is assumed that you stand by the reasons previously given for the decisions announced on 13 July 2025,' reads the letter. The party's spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela added: ' The judges did not want to take a decision knowing exactly that the MK Party has a strong case. By placing Mchunu on leave of absence and appointing Cachalia as an acting police minister, the country is having two ministers of police. Both ministers are acting.' Zuma, who said he is a concerned citizen, a voter and a former President, also demanded the date and time when Ramaphosa decided to place Mchunu on leave of absence and the decision to appoint Cachalia as acting police minister, as well as their current positions. 'When exactly (date and time) was your decision to place Minister Mchunu on leave of absence taken? When exactly (date and time ) was your decision to appoint Professor Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police (was) taken, communicated to him and to the public? 'What exactly is a 'Minister Designate', from a constitutional point of view? Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony (i.e. from around 9:30am on 1 August 2025), what was the exact correct description of Professor Cachalia? Was he a minister, acting minister or minister designate? What is the present, correct, full and official description of Mr. Senzo Mchunu? If the answers are the same, for how long is it envisaged that South Africa will have and pay for two Ministers of Police at the same time?' Zuma asks in the letter. He also wanted to know Ramaphosa's reasons for not dismissing Mchunu based on the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that Mchunu had ties to criminal gangs and meddled in police investigations into politically motivated murders. Zuma also wanted to know what is the public benefit in having two ministers of police, adding that one is active, while the other one is on leave. 'What were the reasons why one of the 2 (two) Deputy Ministers of Police was not promoted to the position of Acting/Minister of Police as you did, for example, with Deputy Minister (Buti) Manamela who was subsequently promoted to Minister of Higher Education? What are the estimated costs to the taxpayers for the failure to act in a similar or consistent manner?' He said irrespective of the answers Ramaphosa might give, his conduct to place Mchunu on leave and appoint Cachalia remain illegal, irrational and unconstitutional. 'With the publicly available information as well as the pleadings and deliberations in the recent Constitutional Court proceedings, our client is of the view that, irrespective of any answers you might give to the above list of questions, the impugned conduct remains illegal and irrational and unconstitutional.' 'It may have been further compounded by the events which occurred between July 13 2025 and August 1, 2025 and which have a continuing adverse impact on the South African citizens and taxpayers, including our client,' the letter read, adding that Ramaphosa should withdraw his decision to place Mchunu on leave and the appointment of Cachalia. 'Due to the obvious urgency and importance of the issues raised above, these demands must be fulfilled immediately but by no later than 10h00 on Friday, August 8 2025, failing which all our client's rights are reserved, including the right to urgently approach the courts for appropriate relief, without any further notice to you.' [email protected]
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
MK Party condemns ConCourt's dismissal of court challenge against Ramaphosa
Thabo Makwakwa | Published 1 hour ago The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has voiced its strong condemnation of the Constitutional Court's recent decision to dismiss a critical challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa's actions, asserting that the judiciary has failed to hold the head of state accountable for what the party describes as 'flagrant constitutional violations.' Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela issued a statement on Monday criticising the court's move. 'To the shock of most South Africans who believed that the rule of law still prevails, the Constitutional Court has unfortunately chosen to turn a blind eye and take the easy way out by hiding behind technicalities, instead of addressing the real issues that the MK Party has presented.' He added that the court's decision to defer the matter to the High Court effectively sidesteps what the MK Party sees as a looming constitutional crisis. The challenge was rooted in President Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and to announce Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting Police Minister, a move the MK Party argues contravenes constitutional provisions and undermines accountability. 'The Constitutional Court has abdicated its responsibility to hold the Executive accountable,' the statement continued. 'This decision disregards the courageous efforts of whistleblowers like General Mkhwanazi and many others who are committed to fostering a safer, more accountable South Africa.' The MK Party is not backing down and announced that it is exploring all peaceful avenues to press for justice. As part of its next steps, the party stated it issued a formal letter of demand to President Ramaphosa, requesting him to explain the ongoing constitutional turmoil. The party stated that among the questions posed are issues surrounding the funding of two Police Ministers and an allegedly 'illegal Commission of Inquiry', which the party says are politically motivated and fiscally irresponsible. 'We have also demanded that President Ramaphosa respond to a list of 15 questions by August 8, 2025, concerning his dealings with the CR17 and Phala Phala scandals, which continue to cast a shadow over his presidency,' Ndhlela explained. 'This crisis is unfolding at the expense of South Africans who deserve honest leadership and transparency.' In addition, the MK Party said it plans to write to the Chief Justice, urging the judiciary to furnish the reasons behind its recent ruling adding that once all pertinent information is obtained, the party promises to outline its next steps and inform the public accordingly. Furthermore, Ndhlela said the MK party remains unwavering in its stance that President Ramaphosa's resignation is in the country's best interest. 'Any political party or member of Parliament who votes against our forthcoming Motion of No Confidence should be prepared to face the justified anger of South Africans,' Ndhlela warned. The MK Party said it continues to organise peaceful demonstrations in support of whistleblowers and advocates for Ramaphosa's removal from office. [email protected] IOL Politics
