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The civil rights organisation AfriForum has appointed a legal representative to closely follow the case against three Free State farmers, including two female farmers, who were arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) after they caught stock thieves who were stealing their sheep.

According to reports, 30 police officers in 13 police vehicles stormed the property of two female farmers, entered their house and arrested them using heavy force. It also seems that the police were not in possession of a warrant to enter the property in the first place.

AfriForum says it appears that this case was not properly investigated before the officers decided to perform these arrests.

“The way in which these farmers were arrested is very suspicious. Why use such overwhelming force to apprehend two women? This seems like an intimidation tactic by the SAPS,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

As a prominent civil rights watchdog, AfriForum has a crucial role in safeguarding the constitutional rights of individuals. The organisation fervently works to ensure that law enforcement adheres to due process in all its dealings, especially when it involves arrests and prosecution. In this case, AfriForum is committed to ensuring that the rights of the accused farmers are upheld, demanding a fair, transparent, and unbiased investigation. This scrutiny is not just a defense of these farmers, but a stand against any potential abuse of power by the authorities, thereby serving to uphold democratic values and principles in the country.

Issued by AfriForum