South Africa’s ‘still high’ farm killings now in their own category

A total of 69 murders, 70 attempted murders and 291 cases of serious bodily assaults were recorded on agricultural land, farms, plots or smallholdings in just three months. There were also nine attacks on farmworkers by farmers, including three murders. Bittereinders founder Devon Hofmeyr said he was surprised to learn that farm murders were in their category in this quarter’s crime statistics. ALSO READ: Crime Stats: This Province Has The Most Farm Murders ‘This should have happened a long time ago, although I’m not sure what the figure was because many people weren’t reporting the attacks “, does he have…

A total of 69 murders, 70 attempted murders and 291 cases of serious bodily assaults were recorded on agricultural land, farms, plots or smallholdings in just three months.

There were also nine attacks on farmworkers by farmers, including three murders.

Bittereinders founder Devon Hofmeyr said he was surprised to learn that farm murders were in their category in this quarter’s crime statistics.

READ ALSO: Crime Stats: This Province Has The Most Farm Murders

“It should have happened a long time ago, although I’m not sure what the figure was because a lot of people weren’t reporting the attacks,” he said.

AfriForum’s Campaign manager Jacques Broodryk said killings and attacks on farms will remain a serious concern.

“Not only because of the nature of the attack and the violence during these attacks, but also the greater impact these attacks have on the community and the country.”

Broodryk said that if the numbers line up with the police and there has indeed been a decrease, they welcome it.

“The reason for this may be that farmers are taking their safety into their own hands by being very careful and putting their resources into their safety.”

He said while there were still dedicated officers in the field, their efforts were hampered by political interference.

AfriForum deputy chief executive Ernst Roets said blaming everything on resources can also be an excuse for not recognizing or addressing other crises.

READ MORE: Family stabbed to death in brutal Free State farm murder

“There are police officers who are very competent and who work hard. However, much of the police crisis is due to incompetence and an apparent lack of resolve to deal with the crime crisis,” he said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Ghost MEC for Community Safety Michael Shackleton said despite the decrease in reported farm murder cases, it was still out of control.

“The DA has proposed a Gauteng Community Safety Bill to create the office of the Provincial Police Ombudsman to address police inefficiencies,” he said.

Shackleton added that statistics on murders, carjackings and kidnappings were major concerns.