Farmers and farm residents are called on to enhance their own safety in and around their homes.
The call comes from TAU SA’s chairman in the North Region, Mr. Steven Vermaak, after the violent period that experienced 34 farm attacks and 8 murders during August 2017.
“Every farmer and farm resident needs to look and realize what’s happening around us. Are our farmers and farm workers still involved in agricultural organizations rural safety structures in the country? Are we involved with any support organizations, or are we apathetic to our farms and hope an attack does not happen to you and your family? Are we still on our knees to seek an outcome?” asked Mr. Vermaak.
Mr. Vermaak also expressed satisfaction after the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the murder of Piet and Tilla van Zyl. Mr. Vermaak, who is also a director of the Heritage Protection Group (HPG), has said that since the murder, several teams have been working continuously to follow up on clues that led to these arrests. He thanked the SAPS members of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as those of Qiniso Lonke who helped with the investigation. HPG’s own people also continued tirelessly with their own investigation. He also appealed to uninformed individuals who use social media not to provide any names or other information, as it may hamper the investigation.
“The cold-blooded murder of Piet and Tilla van Zyl and others leave a huge gap in the immediate society. People who always were there to help others are suddenly no longer there. There is nobody who can fill their place in the community. The community is so much poorer without that farmer and his wife who has been removed from the community by a senseless attack,” said Mr. Vermaak.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
South Africa Today – South Africa News
