South African businessman Rob Hersov has issued a stark warning about the escalating violence against white farmers in his home country, urging authorities to classify farm attacks as a “priority crime” amid rising political tensions.
Speaking to Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi, Hersov directly linked the surge in farm violence to the rhetoric of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a far-left political party led by Julius Malema.
“It’s all come out of the EFF, which has almost 10% of the voting population,” Hersov said. “2.4 million people back Julius Malema, who are hardcore leftists, jumping up and down in stadiums saying, ‘Kill the farmer, kill the Boer.’”
Hersov claimed that farm attacks spike following EFF rallies and accused Malema of inciting violence with statements such as, “We will slit the throat of whiteness—but not yet.” Despite legal challenges, South Africa’s judiciary has not classified such remarks as hate speech, a failure Hersov attributes to the ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s influence over the courts.
A “Terrible Situation” Ignored?
Hersov criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC for downplaying the crisis, dismissing farm murders as part of the country’s broader violent crime problem. However, Hersov insisted the statistics prove otherwise, calling the targeting of farmers a coordinated campaign that demands urgent intervention.
He revealed that the White House recently pressured the ANC government to address farm attacks after a delegation of concerned South Africans raised the issue in Washington. “The White House told the ANC this needs to be made a priority crime,” Hersov said.
Accusations of “Economic Genocide”
Beyond farm violence, Hersov accused the ANC of institutionalizing racism through over 100 race-based laws since the end of apartheid in 1994. Policies like Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land expropriation without compensation, he argued, have enriched a small elite while crippling the economy.
“Black Economic Empowerment is theft,” Hersov declared, citing a report claiming that 100 trillion rand had been transferred to just 100 politically connected families over 24 years. He warned that South Africa is teetering on the brink of economic collapse, with white, Indian, and Coloured communities all suffering under discriminatory policies.
Appeal for International Pressure
From Australia, where he now resides, Hersov called on Western governments—including Australia’s—to condemn South Africa’s trajectory. While praising former U.S. President Donald Trump for taking a stand, he expressed little hope that left-leaning leaders like Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would act.
“All we ask is for the world to tell the truth,” Hersov said. “Donald Trump has put a spotlight on South Africa. I wish Albanese would do the same.”
Growing Expat Concerns
With a significant South African diaspora in Australia, Hersov’s warnings resonate among expatriates who fear for their homeland’s future. His outspoken stance has drawn both support and controversy, but he remains adamant that without global attention, South Africa risks becoming a failed state.
As farm attacks continue and racial tensions simmer, the call for international intervention grows louder—but whether the world will listen remains uncertain.
Source: Sky News Australia
