A heated debate was sparked on X this week after the South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk commented on a post by former Olympic swim champion Roland Schoeman about crime in South Africa, spesifically against white people.
In a long post, Schoeman claimed, without proof, that many black South Africans justify, or even celebrate the murder of white people – especially white farmers.
“If white South Africans dehumanized, threatened, and justified the murder of Black people the way many Black South Africans do against whites—especially white farmers—it would be global news. But when the roles are reversed? Silence. Deflection. Justifications.”
In South Africa, white farmers are tortured and murdered in the most brutal ways imaginable. Instead of outrage, many justify it. Instead of condemnation, there are excuses. The response isn’t horror—it’s celebration, denial, or indifference.
The double standard is staggering.…
— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) February 19, 2025
While some commentators on X agreed with Schoeman, many others disagreed, accusing him of fear-mongering. But Schoeman stood by his words.
@Rolandschoeman refrain from spreading fear mongering! Roland is not staying in South Africa,the audacity to spread false news requires urgent action, but we know for a fact that @elonmusk loves peddling false narratives. We have had enough of your hatred now.
— Phuthumile (@WatuJayP) February 20, 2025
You don’t get to decide who speaks on South Africa. I have every right to highlight what’s happening, especially when I spend months there and have family and friends living through it. Instead of addressing the crime and brutality, you’d rather silence those who speak up. That…
— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) February 20, 2025
More people are killed in the cape flats than farms, many are killed in black communities than farms do you have proof of white genocide?
— IAmForky (@lilgura) February 19, 2025
Musk then entered the chat, writing that Cape Town is essentially a ‘beautiful theme park’ that is generally kept safe for tourists, but advised people to stay in the touristy areas of Cape Town. His post was viewed over 86,000 times.
“Other parts of the country can be extremely dangerous for a woman travelling alone with no gun. If visiting a trusted friend, listen very carefully to the directions of that friend. Do not get lost or go exploring without an escort.”
Cape Town is essentially a beautiful theme park and is generally kept safe for the tourists, so staying in the tourist areas is probably ok.
Other parts of the country can be extremely dangerous for a woman traveling alone with no gun. If visiting a trusted friend, listen very…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 19, 2025
Also on the growing chat list was Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who then took the opportunity to highlight the Mother City’s ‘X-factor’, inviting Elon to come and take a personal tour.
Hill-Lewis invited Elon to see how Cape Town is strengthening and protecting property rights, boosting tourism, and expanding the metro police force to enhance safety across the city.
Thanks @ElonMusk, Table Mountain does make quite the backdrop!
But trust me, Cape Town’s not just for show. Warm people, great startups, and real heart live here. Alongside incredible beauty. Next time you’re in town, let me show you around.
Come see how Cape Town is:
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) February 19, 2025
…
Many commentators thought the Mayor’s response was ill-advised.
@HoneyguideZA wrote:
“It’s really off putting to the rest of SA when the argument is “But Cape Town!” You don’t realise how you come across. Unless your ultimate plan is to secede, you’re just alienating everyone in the trenches trying to survive while you pose for photo ops against the mountains.”
Pieter Marais wrote:
“I visited our province’s capital regularly and must say the decay is unfortunately visible in some areas of the city. Great photo ops hide this. Nigerians are also actively selling drugs in Long Street. I don’t feel safe in Cape Town at night.”
I visited our province’s capital regularly and must say the decay is unfortunately visible in some areas of the city. Great photo ops hide this. Nigerians are also actively selling drugs in Long Street. I don’t feel safe in Cape Town at night.
— Pieter Marais (@pietersmd) February 20, 2025
Another commentator thought Hill-Lewis should not take what Musk said about Cape Town as praise.
“The city you oversee doesn’t operate in a vacuum. There are other parts of the country that are beautiful and are touristworthy. Extremely disappointing from you.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, whose view on South Africa is believed to be influenced by Musk, repeated his view that the country is a very dangerous place.
At a press conference in Washington Trump was asked if he will be attending the G20 leaders summit in Johannesburg later this year. Trump reiterated the false claim that property is being confiscated in South Africa.
According to the latest crime statistics, reflecting crimes between October and December 2024, 1 farmer was killed in the Free State. Five farm dwellers were murdered, and 4 farm employees were killed. 6,953 people were murdered across the country over this period.
