JOHANNESBURG – The Government has taken note of recent media reports alleging that Mr. Sebastiaan Jooste, described as a “46-year-old former farmer,” is the individual behind the social media account “Boer” (@twatterbaas) on X (formerly Twitter), which has been linked to the dissemination of racist rhetoric, hate speech, and deliberate misinformation.
While law enforcement agencies continue to investigate incidents of online misinformation, Government strongly condemns any deliberate attempt to mislead the public and incite racial hatred.
South Africa stands as the first country in the world to enshrine freedom of expression as a constitutional right. However, this right does not extend to hate speech, incitement to violence, or the intentional spread of false information. Law enforcement authorities are fully empowered to act against individuals who violate these principles, regardless of race or background.
Addressing recent claims regarding farm murders allegedly occurring at genocidal levels, the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year indicate that only one farmer—who was white—was murdered. While every loss of life is deeply tragic, the narrative of large-scale farm killings is demonstrably false. Law enforcement agencies are, in fact, making steady progress in addressing and preventing farm-related crimes.
The Government reaffirms its commitment to the safety and security of all who live and work in South Africa, including farmers and rural communities. Citizens are urged to act responsibly online and to reject hate speech and misinformation. The spread of such content is a criminal offence and will be treated as such.
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