A South African court has ruled that the fear of a “white genocide” in the country is a baseless and “clearly imagined” threat, invalidating a bequest from the will of Grantland Michael Bray. The bequest, amounting to R40 million (£1.7 million), was intended to fund training programs for Boerelegioen (BL), a far-right Afrikaner group. The group had been described as advocating for the defense of whites in South Africa, claiming that the country’s black majority was planning to exterminate the white population. This report is based on an article originally published by Times UK.
The ruling, issued on February 15, 2025, came after Bray’s siblings challenged the will in court. Judge Rosheni Allie declared the organization’s claims of an impending white genocide to be unfounded, noting that BL’s tactics amounted to “fearmongering” aimed at inciting racial tension.
Bray, who passed away in 2022, had become increasingly paranoid about the safety of the white minority in South Africa. He was particularly influenced by narratives suggesting that farm murders were part of a larger plan to annihilate whites. The group’s manifesto, which Bray adhered to, painted a picture of a violent future and was part of his obsession with the idea of a “white genocide.”
However, in her judgment, Judge Allie pointed out that crime statistics do not support claims of a widespread or systemic threat to white South Africans or farmers. The most recent statistics show that out of over 27,000 murders recorded in 2023, only 49 victims were farmers or their families.
The judgment also addressed Bray’s personal history. His sister, Madeleine Gerntholtz, testified that Bray, who had served in the South African military during apartheid, had developed a personality disorder and a racist worldview exacerbated by online content. Gerntholtz also claimed Bray was manipulated by senior figures in Boerelegioen, despite the group’s manifesto excluding him from membership, as it only accepted individuals with Boer ancestry.
In a striking part of the ruling, Judge Allie emphasized that BL’s glorification of the apartheid government was in direct defiance of South Africa’s constitution. The court further condemned the group’s plans to train paramilitary forces as illegal.
Boerelegioen attempted to defend the bequest, insisting that they did not share Bray’s extreme views on exterminating black people, despite his explicit intentions for the funds. However, the judge found their statements and the ambiguity in Bray’s will insufficient to uphold the bequest.
The court’s decision comes on the heels of international political tensions surrounding South Africa’s white minority. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a surprise move, halted all American funding to South Africa in response to what he called human rights violations against white South Africans. Trump’s stance mirrored accusations made by his backer, South African-born Elon Musk, who has criticized the South African government for its treatment of the white population.
In her final ruling, Judge Allie invalidated the bequest, ordering the assets to be distributed through intestate succession. The court also imposed costs on Boerelegioen for bringing the application. The decision underscores South Africa’s commitment to confronting divisive and unfounded ideologies while reinforcing its constitutional values.
