The rural safety plan of the Gauteng police service has not made any positive contribution to the safety of farmers. The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, confirmed, in response to a written question by the FF Plus, that in the previous financial year (1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020), 445 farm attacks had been reported in which 11 people were killed but only 3 suspects had been arrested.
All the arrests made relate to just one of the farm attacks.
These damning facts essentially echo the FF Plus’s constant warnings that the Gauteng police is failing rural communities. To truly ensure the safety of our rural communities, the rural safety plan must be properly implemented and managed.
The areas that are particularly plagued by farm attacks are Kameeldrift, Muldersdrift and Hekpoort on the West Rand.
The cruel harassment of vulnerable rural communities is shameful and contributes greatly to the general deterioration of the rural areas, which ultimately threatens food security.
The FF Plus will keep putting pressure on the authorities to properly implement the rural safety plan and to deploy adequate manpower and equipment in rural police stations to ensure the safety of these vulnerable people.
Read about all South African farm attacks here
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Kobus Hoffman on FF Plus
South Africa Today – South Africa News
