Farm Attacks Masked as “House Robbery” in South Africa

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Chris Wyatt has sounded the alarm on a disturbing crisis in South Africa: the escalating violence against farmers, which he alleges is being deliberately concealed by the government.

Speaking from the tranquil farmlands of central Pennsylvania, Wyatt passionately condemned what he describes as a campaign of domestic terrorism targeting South Africa’s agricultural communities, misrepresented as ordinary crime to obscure its severity.

“There’s a war being committed by syndicates and a cover-up by the South African government,” Wyatt declared, pointing to a specific incident near Brits, northwest of Pretoria, where an elderly couple was brutally attacked on their farm. “The assailants poisoned the couple’s dogs, stole tires from their vehicle to prevent escape, and broke into their home at 2 a.m. They tied up a wheelchair-bound man and his wife, beating them savagely with an antique iron. This isn’t a house robbery, it’s aggravated assault, attempted murder, home invasion, trespassing. It’s domestic terrorism meant to terrorize and frighten people off the land.”

Wyatt argues that such attacks are part of a coordinated effort to drive farmers, particularly white commercial farmers, off their legally acquired properties. “In 1994, there were 68,000 commercial white farmers. Today, it’s down to 28,000 to 32,000,” he said, noting that approximately 4,000 farmers and their families have been attacked, raped, or murdered over recent decades. “That’s nearly 12% of farmers and their families. Yet, the government refuses to categorize these as priority crimes.”

He further accused South African authorities of suppressing crime data, recalling a period over a decade ago when violent crime statistics went unreported for nearly three years. “You can’t trust government statistics,” Wyatt emphasized, citing claims by South Africa’s Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, who allegedly denied the targeted nature of farm attacks, asserting most victims are Black South Africans. “Those are pure lies,” Wyatt countered. “They cover up violent crimes directed against South Africa’s farmers by falsely claiming they’re house robberies.”

Wyatt also highlighted the lack of police response in rural areas, often due to limited resources or indifference, which leaves farmers isolated. “These people are on their own,” he warned. “The police don’t respond; they don’t have a vehicle, or they don’t care. Why would you call them when a savage beating is reported as a mere house robbery?”

Urging greater scrutiny of official narratives, Wyatt called on the global community to recognize the crisis. “This is intentional, willful, and the objective of someone to chase South Africa’s farmers off their land,” he stated. “Will the world notice? I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

His remarks exposes a broader distrust in the reported data, challenging the public to seek truth amid misinformation. The plight of South Africa’s farmers remains a contentious issue, with Wyatt’s voice adding urgency to a crisis he believes demands global attention.

They poisoned the dogs days before. Came back. Tied up my elderly family. Beat them with an antique iron. Stomped his hands. Stole their farm radio used to call for help and took the bakkie’s wheels. 5 armed men. Police call it a “house robbery.” How many farm attacks and murders… pic.twitter.com/RzlgCvSQOg

— Danie Barnard (@DaanBarnard) May 29, 2025