Uncertainty may be the reason for suicide among farmers

Die Vryburger

Uncertainty may be the reason for suicide among farmers
Genl Chris van Zyl - Image - Die Vryburger

The effects of the severe drought, coupled with the crime on farms, the lack of financial support and uncertainty about the government’s land policy has caused enormous stress for farmers.

This is the response of General. Chris van Zyl, assistant general manager of TAU SA, after announcing that the life insurer Liberty saw a 20% increase in suicide among farmers since the previous year.

Earlier this month, Mr. Barries Snyman shot himself on his farm in the Eastern Cape after things apparently became too much for him.

General Van Zyl said banks may grant credit up to a certain level only, and that the cost of donated feed has become so high that farmers do not have much choice but to thin out herds. It takes a long time to recover.

Liberty’s Henk Meintjes believes that the economic situation of the farmers, especially for those over 55, contributes to the increase in suicides, though they have no concrete evidence.

Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger

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