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AfriForum will address a memorandum to 100 countries and international organisations to call their attention to the reality of farm murders in South Africa. This is in response to the three farm attacks that occurred in the last couple of days. On Monday, 13 August, an American farmer also became a victim of this crime which gives more international prominence to farm murders.

AfriForum tasked its research team to identify 100 countries and international organisations as appropriate recipients of the memorandum. The criteria used to compile the list, included the following:

1. Countries and organisations which may still be unaware of the problem;
2. Countries and organisations which can exercise diplomatic pressure on the South African government to act decisively with regard to farm murders.

AfriForum Deputy Executive Director, Ernst Roets, said that government was dishonest towards its citizens. “In 2003, the commando system was disbanded with the promise that alternative structures would be instituted for rural safety. This did not happen. Government refuses to declare farm murders, in particular, as priority crime, because as far as government was concerned, it simply forms part of the broader murder category. Yet, copper cable theft, rhino poaching, violence against women and children, and transit robberies have all been easily prioritised by government.”

Roets added that government should accept the responsibility for these attacks as long as it fails to meet its promise made in 20003 at the time of the abolishment of the commandos, namely that alternative structures would be instituted for rural safety.

On 28 August, AfriForum will announce in Pretoria a comprehensive Stop the Murders Campaign. More information in this regard will soon be published.

The victims of the latest three farm attacks are:

· Allen Rodgers (61), a farm manager and American citizen. On 13 August he was attacked with machetes on a farm near Bloemfontein. He sustained numerous cuts and hack wounds. His female friend was also tied up and assaulted in the attack.
· Ronel van Eyk (46). She was killed on 13 August at the gate to her farm near Hartbeesfontein after she had taken her nine-year-old son, Freddie, to school. She was repeatedly shot, including in the face.
· Owen Charles (70) was killed on 12 August on a farm near Jansenville. His wife, Janet (70), was also assaulted with knives and blunt objects, leaving her in a serious condition. The attack came on her birthday.