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In yet, another brutal farm attack, Gert van Wyk, the son of a previous President of Agri Gauteng, his family and workers were attacked yesterday whilst working in his maize field in the Bapsfontein area in Gauteng. The farm manager was shot and killed in the attack. His name is withheld until his next of kin is notified. Van Wyk was also shot, seriously injured and taken to hospital in Kempton Park where he was admitted to the intensive care unit in a serious condition. Van Wyk’s wife was locked in the farm office but not physically harmed. The attackers escaped with an unknown amount of money and household goods.

“We are distressed about the events that unfolded yesterday on this peaceful farm where the farmer and his workers were busy producing food for our country’s people. This cowardless act borders on sabotaging an industry that provides many work opportunities and economic prosperity in rural areas. Our country now needs leadership and discipline on all levels to root out criminals who are harboured in our communities,” said Frans van den Bergh, President of Agri Gauteng.

Van den Bergh, who also serves as the Chairperson of Agri Bapsfontein expressed his appreciation towards the police from both Welbekend as well as Olifantfontein who reacted swiftly and professionally in attending the crime scene. “We are looking to the police to professionally investigate this horrendous crime and to bring the perpetrators of these callous deeds to court to answer to these crimes. We call on any person who knows these perpetrators or who have information regarding this crime to come forward and provide it to the police,” Van den Bergh requested.

The recent spate of farm murders has caused growing distress within the farming community, who are insisting that effective steps be taken to bring an end to these crimes. “We urgently call on the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng to take all necessary steps to implement the Rural Safety Strategy in the province as we believe that this Strategy accompanied by the rural protection component which accompanies it, can make a big difference in combating rural crime”, said Van den Bergh.

He has also pledged the organisations’ full support to the families who will now face the challenge to cope with the impact of this traumatic experience. “The continued spate of farm attacks and murders in South Africa, the violence associated with it and the frequency thereof is a sad reflection of the state of morality and security that the country finds itself in”, Van den Bergh said in closing.