Government still silent on rural violence despite ten farm attacks in May – AfriForum

According to AfriForum, the government’s silence regarding the ten farm attacks and related violent incidents reported during May is further evidence of its failure to recognise the seriousness of this type of crime. The levels of violence associated with these attacks remain alarmingly high and underscore the need for the government to acknowledge farm attacks as a unique and serious form of crime and to act accordingly.

Several victims were assaulted, tied up and seriously injured during farm attacks over the past month. In two separate incidents, victims were shot, including two farm workers in the Zebediela area of Limpopo. These victims sustained serious gunshot wounds while attempting to flee from their attackers. Families in areas including Delmas, Stellenbosch and De Wildt were attacked in their homes, while several attacks were only thwarted thanks to the swift response of local security and community safety structures.

Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, says it is evident that rural communities continue to live under the constant threat of serious violence.

“The government repeatedly attempts to dismiss the seriousness of farm attacks as merely another crime statistic, but the reality is that farmers, farm workers and rural residents continue to be exposed to extremely violent attacks. When people are tied up, tortured, shot and assaulted in their own homes, no one can claim that there is not a serious safety crisis in rural South Africa,” he says.

“It is particularly concerning that the government refuses to address the political and social climate that contributes to this violence. While farm attacks continue, the government remains silent about public figures who sow division and incite violence against farmers. The continued failure to unequivocally condemn chants such as ‘Kill the Boer’ sends a dangerous message that the safety of rural communities is not being taken seriously. A government that is truly committed to protecting its citizens would not allow such messages to become normalised.”

AfriForum emphasises that communities cannot leave their safety solely in the hands of the state and calls on farmers and rural residents to take a proactive approach and remain vigilant.

“The reality is that many attacks were prevented because organised community safety structures were able to respond rapidly. AfriForum therefore encourages farmers, farm workers and rural residents to become involved in their local AfriForum neighbourhood or farm watch,” says Broodryk.

“AfriForum will continue expanding its safety networks, training communities and equipping them to take responsibility for their own safety. The government’s failure to take this problem seriously means that communities will have to rely on themselves and one another more than ever before.”

Click here to get involved with AfriForum’s safety structures today.