Agriculture Minister and Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen is facing scrutiny for comments made during the highly-anticipated meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday.
Many took to social media following Steenhuisen’s comments, accusing him of failing to protect farmers and calling him a ‘flip flop’
Facing a barrage of questions and unfounded claims about a white genocide in South Africa, “supported” by a montage of videos of Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema talking about land expropriation and singing “Kill the Boer”, Ramaphosa turned to Steenhuisen in the hopes that he could help clarify the issue to Trump.
Steenhuisen conceded that SA had a rural safety problem that needed to be addressed; however, the majority of SA’s commercial and smallholding farmers “really” did want to stay in SA.
Steenhuisen said, along with his colleagues in the Police and Justice clusters, he wants to start prioritising farm attacks and stock theft.
“It affects all farmers in SA, particularly stock theft that has a disproportionate effect on black farmers,” he said.
Taking to social media following the briefing, Steenhuisen explained that the DA joined the Government of National Unity (GNU) to protect SA from violent anti-constitutionalists.
“Along with the security cluster and our US partners, my department is committed to winning the fight against farm murders,” he said.
During my engagement with President Trump in the Oval Office, I outlined that the DA joined the GNU to protect SA from violent anti-constitutionalists. Along with the security cluster and our US partners, my department is committed to winning the fight against farm murders. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/UfrW2oHTRi
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 21, 2025
However, there are those who believed Steenhuisen failed to protect farmers in SA.
Taking to social media, some believed Steenhuisen could have taken a leaf from business mogul Johann Rupert’s book.
When given the opportunity to speak, Rupert appealed to Trump for assistance in addressing South Africa’s rising crime rate, saying the issue of violent crime extends beyond white Afrikaner farmers and affects citizens across the country.
Rupert further raised the issue of violence on the Cape Flats.
Reaction
@RickBothma: “You did not stand up for white farmers.”
@Freshermoon2: “Don’t come back”
@NativeSettler1: “You lost alot of voters today”
@aynrandfontein: “You allowed the ANC to use you as a prop.”
@danielle_v73623: “You have ruined the legacy of Zille and the DA. You will never be supported again. You’re a traitor and a coward.”
I wish DA can fire you. Johan exposed you and your Party
— NL_Sesh🇿🇦 (@Sesh_NL) May 21, 2025
No one believes you anymore. I am very disappointed that I voted DA. I will never make that mistake again. Where is your backbone?
— Michael Rossi (@Michael_silvfx) May 21, 2025
Ntate Rupert dealt with that @JohnSteffensen who had the platform to deny the genocide lies and instead tried to score cheap points for the @Our_DA . Never thought I would say this , but have so much new respect for Rupert. Not your spineless John!
— Sir. TeeKay (@tokollom) May 21, 2025
