Theo de Jager Erased from Department of Agriculture Press Photo – Political Censorship or Coincidence?
In a move that has drawn sharp criticism and sparked heated debate, the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development digitally removed Dr. Theo de Jager, head of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), from an official press photograph. This incident, reminiscent of historical censorship tactics, has raised questions about political bias and freedom of expression within the government.
The edited photograph, discovered by Ernst van Zyl, spokesperson for AfriForum, was published in Peo (The Seed), the department’s official newsletter. The original image depicted the South African delegation during their visit to Germany, prominently featuring Dr. Theo de Jager alongside other officials. However, in the version published by the department, de Jager was conspicuously absent.
Dr. Theo de Jager is a well-known figure in South African agriculture, leading Saai, an organization that represents a significant number of farmers across the country. He has been vocal in his criticism of the government’s race-based land expropriation policies, which he argues undermine property rights and threaten the agricultural sector’s stability.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen recently defended the government’s stance, stating, “I will, as the Minister of Agriculture, continue to support interventions which create equalities of opportunity rather than those that seek to manipulate equalities of outcome. Without a sense of urgency to overcome historical injustice by those in government, South Africa will not enjoy a prosperous future.”
The incident has raised suspicions of political bias, with critics accusing the department of censoring dissenting voices. The situation has also sparked debate about the government’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency.
Social media has been abuzz with reactions:
Censorship + Incompetence = National Dept of Ag.
They erased Dr. Theo De Jager @saai from a #GFFA photo, got caught, and the Minister claims ignorance.
Who’s really running this clown show? Orwellian amateurs.
Evidence: pic.twitter.com/wErKaJgGBl— Amantissimus (@MaxPatricius) February 22, 2025
- Post 1: “The DA Department of Agriculture removed a popular critic of BEE Land Grabs from its photos. Discovered that the image was digitally edited to remove Theo de Jager, head of Saai, from an Official Press Release.”
- Post 2 by the Cape Independence: “In a Stalineque move, the department edited a press photo to erase the biggest representative of South African farmers after his criticism of race-based expropriation.”
Attempts to reach Mr. Reggie Ngcobo, the department’s media contact, for comment, were unsuccessful.
The removal of Theo de Jager from the official photograph has ignited a controversy over political censorship and freedom of expression in South Africa. The incident raises critical questions about the role of government agencies in controlling narratives and the implications for democratic discourse. As the debate continues, the question remains: Was this merely a coincidence, or is it a deliberate attempt to silence a prominent critic?
