Henry Geldenhuys, Deputy President: TLU SA, writes:
After public pressure facilitated by TLU SA, the Farm Watch can now operate legally again.
In April TLU SA urged the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and President Cyril Ramaphosa to activate the local Farm Watches. A petition was drawn up and South Africans could show their support by signing said document.
Patrolling by the crucially necessary watches were prohibited since the inception of the lockdown in March. Since then there had been a marked and concerning increase in the theft of agricultural products and livestock.
We want to thank the public for realising the importance of our Farm Watches and supporting the petition. As chairman of the Safety Committee, I can verify that we received more than 10 000 signatures on our petition, which was forthwith sent to the minister and president. We are pleased to see the pressure we applied through the appeal, had a positive outcome. But, it would have been a pro-active situation if the Farm Watch never had to cease their activities.
“The Farm Watch delivers a crucially and essential service to protect our rural areas. The Farm Watch successfully works with the police and helps to lighten their load.”
TLU SA calls on all patrollers and structures within the Farm Watch to continue with caution and act with responsibility.
