Afriforum has released statistics of farm murders and attacks for the 2019 year and it shows that farm attacks have increased yearly from 2011.
Altogether 552 farm attacks were reported to Afriforum in 2019. It represents a 27% increase from the 433 farm attacks reported in 2018. Lorraine Claassen, an analyst with Afriforum, says the most farm murders were in the Free State last year, a total of 11. The numbers of farm murders in the Free State have risen considerably in the last 3 years. Altogether 30% of farm attacks last year occurred in Gauteng. Claasen explains that criminals can attack multiple smallholdings like those in Erasmia and Muldersdrift in one night because they are close together.
Claasen says that 905 people were affected by attacks on farms and smallholdings last year.
In 26% of farm attacks there was a definite attempted murder involved. Murders were committed in 9% of farm attacks and rape in 3 % of farm attacks. There was percentage wise 1,1 farm murders per week and 1,5 % farm attacks per day in 2019. The average number of attackers per incident was 3.
According to Claasen most farm attacks involved forced entry by for instance breaking down doors or burglar bars and most farm attackers came with a vehicle ( which will make patrols of rural roads essential as the Police is not doing it). Theo de Jager, head of agricultural body Saai, says in 26% of cases farm workers were the victims of attacks.
Ian Cameron of Afriforum points out that the statistics point out that it is clear that the South African Police and government are unable or unwilling or both to protect farmers and farm workers and that farmers will have to defend themselves ( so pls start to carry the firearms you have and not always keep it in the safe from where the criminals will take it if they surprise you in your bed).
Just this week it was reported that the bodies of 2 men, aged 50 and 54 were found on a smallholding at Maclear in the Eastern Cape. Their hands were tied and throats slit. Their names have not been released.
Read about more farm attacks here
South Africa Today – South Africa News
Epidemic of South African farm attacks and murders on the increase
Farm murder: Bodies of 2 men found, hands tied, throats slit, Maclear
