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AfriForum today called on National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega to support the organisation’s campaign to have farm murders declared a priority crime and specialist units established for rural safety.

In a letter that was handed in at Phiyega’s office today, Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, says that South Africa is largely dependent on a thriving agricultural sector, but the attacks on farmers poses a serious threat to everyone living in rural areas. ‘We are not calling for the murders of farmers to be elevated above any other murders. The reality, however, is that a disproportionate number of farmers are murdered compared with the national murder rate. Moreover, farm murders are characterised by gross and cold-blooded brutality,’ said Roets.

AfriForum has already directed a letter on the issue to Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and intends to again get in touch with both Mthethwa and Phiyega soon. AfriForum is drawing up a comprehensive report on the scope and impact of farm attacks with the assistance of various experts. The report will be presented to Mthethwa and Phiyega. Furthermore, the organisation aims to intensify its campaign against farm attacks this month by creating a platform whereby the public can become involved in pressuring the government and be assisted in taking better care of their own safety. More details in this regard will be communicated soon.

A copy of the English version of the book Treurgrond was handed to Phiyega together with the letter. The book contains details of 2 617 farm attacks and 1 445 farm murders that occurred over a 20-year period in South Africa.