The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in the province noted with concern a pamphlet doing the rounds on social media platforms titled “Optog Teen Plaasmoorde.” The distributor of the pamphlet is apparently organising a march scheduled for Monday, 10 October 2023, in Brits.
The Provincial Chairperson of the Rural Safety Priority Committee, Major General Patrick Asaneng, would like to inform the general public and farmers in the area that the province has a PRIORITY COMMITTEE which, in line with the National Rural Safety Strategy ensures an effective and sustainable approach, thereby ensuring optimal service delivery to rural communities including on farms and smallholdings.
The march organiser is neither known nor plays any active role in ensuring the safety of the farming communities and at the same time, misleads the public and creates a perception that nothing is being done about crime in rural areas. In fact, the District Commissioner of Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 1 and the Station Commander of Brits have a good working relationship with farmers, farm workers, Community Police Forum (CPF) and other stakeholders.
While volunteers and partners are welcomed in the fight against crime, it is imperative that those who do that, work together with the police through recognised structures such as the CPF to address safety and security on farms. Everyone has the right in terms of the Constitution, to peacefully demonstrate, assemble, and picket and to present petitions, but that must be done in a responsible manner.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48732.
