‘Dangerous, misleading narrative’: SA envoy Meyer slams white cross protest in Washington

South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, has criticized a planned protest by activists in Washington, DC, warning that the controversial display of white crosses may damage bilateral relations and misrepresent the country's ongoing crime crisis. The White Cross Project, initiated by activist Dr Ernst Roets of Lex Libertas, aims to erect 3 000 crosses on the National Mall to raise awareness of farm murders in South Africa.

Meyer, however, maintains that the campaign distorts South Africa's reality, stating that every murder, regardless of the setting, warrants empathy and sympathy. He cautioned that misrepresenting South Africa abroad could lead to punitive measures, potentially affecting all aspects of the relationship between the two nations. Meyer acknowledged the high levels of violent crime in South Africa but asserted that social cohesion is stronger than some portray it.

He also addressed the strained US-South Africa relations, citing five requests made by the Trump administration, including concerns over Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), which South Africa has largely responded to. Despite these tensions, Meyer stressed the importance of dialogue to restore trust. He highlighted the success of over 600 American companies in South Africa, which generate jobs and investment opportunities.

However, Afrikaners for South Africa (Afsa) criticized the White Cross Project, arguing that it exploits the suffering of farm victims to push a narrow political agenda and risks deepening racial divisions. The organization condemned farm killings and called for justice, support for survivors, and urgent action to improve rural safety.