Silindile Gumede

The Portfolio committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has noted with great concern the ongoing attacks of farmers.

Recently, a local couple of Normadien, near Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal Glen and Vida Rafferty were brutally murdered on their farm. Four more attacks which are said to have occurred within 48-hours have been recorded in the Haartbeespoort area, in North West.

The Committee noted that farm attacks and murders have expanded in accordance with the general upward trend in SA’s savage crimes. These crimes have been found to share likeliness with the trio crimes category of carjacking, house robbery and business robbery.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Zwelivelile Mandela expressed great concern over not only these unprovoked killings and attacks, but also the negative effect they have on the agricultural sector and South Africa’s economy.

“Attacks on farms threaten the food security, employment figures and the economy of our country. Both farm workers and farm owners are of equal importance in the agricultural chain,” he said.

The Committee stated that they will continue to call for an increase in visible policing in communities.

“Community Policing Forums and Community Safety Forums must be strengthened and we encourage all communities to know their neighbours and to create a non-racial and socially cohesive South Africa,” said the Committee.

The Chairperson concluded that the Committee will work hand in hand with the law enforcement to ensure safety in communities and farms.

“The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will work with the Portfolio Committee on Police to ensure that rural communities, inclusive of farming communities, get the required protection and services from the South African Police Service,” he said.

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