It is shocking that the growing carnage among farmers of South Africa is not deemed important enough to be discussed in the country’s parliament, said Dr. Pieter Groenewald, leader of the FF Plus.
After Dr. Groenewald last week requested the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete to allow an urgent debate on the farm murders and attacks, he was rejected.
Dr. Groenewald said it is tragic that a murder of a farmer about every four days in South Africa and almost a farm attack a day was not urgent enough for the Speaker of the House to show a national interest or allow for a parliamentary debate.
The Speaker said she noted that attacks on farmers are indeed a “serious matter” but that does not justify an immediate debate.
According to Dr. Groenewald, the FF Plus considers this decision shockingly inappropriate. He says it is also a clear reflection of the ANC government’s attitude on the attacks against farmers this year. Dr. Groenewald, however, will not leave the matter unattended and will request a personal appointment with the Speaker to discuss the matter with her.
The whole country and the international community should take note of this. It seems that the life of farmers and their workers have little interest in the government.
Of particular concern is the sharp increase in the number of murders and especially farm attacks over the last few years, and the brutality of many of the incidents. The national police service cannot manage to carry out their duty to rural areas and in particular to safeguard the farming community.
It simply cannot continue. Farm attacks affect every South African. The agricultural sector employs nearly a million people and generates a 6.9% contribution to the GDP of the country.
There is already less than 35 000 commercial farming units producing food for the country.
“The loss of a farmer, whether a smallholder and commercial farming, not only has an immediate direct impact on the families of murdered farmers and his or her employees, but it is a direct threat to food security and eventually the GDP of the country.
This is a growing tragedy played out before us, and the government could intervene if there was a political will to do so. It is now clear that he sat with folded hands and watched as the carnage continues on farms,” said Dr. Groenewald.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
South Africa Today – South Africa News
