Cyril Ramaphosa on Kill the Boer Song
TL;DR
Cyril Ramaphosa asserts that no arrests will follow for singing the song due to its status as constitutionally protected speech.
Key Points
He stated in May 2025 that no individual would face arrest for singing the 'Kill the Boer' song.
The President cited Constitutional Court rulings which previously classified the slogan as a liberation chant.
He asserted the government's sovereignty, stating they do not need to be instructed by anyone on law enforcement.
Summary
President Cyril Ramaphosa maintains the position that singing the 'Kill the Boer' song does not warrant criminal charges or arrests in South Africa. This stance was publicly articulated following a discussion with the US President regarding the actions of an opposition leader who sang the slogan. He asserts that the government respects the rulings of the country's courts, which have previously interpreted the chant as a constitutionally protected liberation slogan, distinguishing it from a literal call for violence against farmers.
He emphasized the nation's sovereignty in enforcing its own laws, stating the government does not require instruction from external parties on legal matters. The President's defense rests on judicial precedent, noting that several courts have clarified the song's context as a historical chant rather than a direct, literal incitement to crime. This position was made clear while addressing attendees at an infrastructure development symposium in Cape Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cyril Ramaphosa's position is that singing the 'Kill the Boer' song does not warrant arrests. He defends this by citing court decisions that have deemed the chant a constitutionally protected liberation slogan.
The available information presents his current stance as one aligning with judicial precedent regarding the song. He affirms that the courts have already clarified its protected status as a liberation chant.
The President explicitly said that no one will be arrested for singing the 'Kill the Boer' song. He emphasized that South Africa enforces its own laws and processes according to constitutional rulings.