The FF Plus strongly condemns the second farm murder committed on Saturday, 27 May 2023 , this time a herdsman from Sasolburg was killed.
The deceased, Hlompo Patrick Phale, was murdered and 98 sheep were reportedly stolen in the process.
For these cruel and callous livestock thieves their loot is clearly much more important than a human life or a fellow man’s pain.
How many more lives must be lost before the ANC government realises farm attacks and murders are not a so-called “white” problem, but a problem that deeply affects and jolts the entire agricultural and rural community of South Africa, and even jeopardises food security?
When a farm worker dies, an entire family most likely lose their sole breadwinner and when a farmer dies, an employer on whom many other families depend for their livelihoods is lost. It exacerbates the vicious cycle of unemployment and poverty that is flourishing in South Africa.
Livestock theft in the Free State is like a war waged by cruel gangs of livestock thieves against the agricultural community in the province.
Many farmers and workers, like Brendin Horner, paid with their lives in this senseless battle.
The police in the Free State ought to establish a special task team and compile an action plan against livestock theft with the support of local security structures.
The FF Plus has been applying pressure for years to have all farm attacks and murders classified as priority crimes because the impact of it is so great that there is no justifiable reason for not doing so.
There exists material evidence showing a decrease in crime where communities take responsibility for their own safety.
The FF Plus, therefore, encourages communities to establish security networks and, where possible, to install security systems, like smart camera devices, that facilitate pro-active crime prevention.
The South African Police Service can no longer offer proper protection and security for rural communities in South Africa. They must fend for themselves.
Read: Sheep herder attacked and killed on a farm, 98 sheep stolen, Amelia
Read about more farm attacks here
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Jan van Niekerk on FF Plus
