Sugarcane theft on the increase
The MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environment, Vusi Shongwe, is concerned about thugs who are raiding and stealing from farms which grow sugarcane.
MBOMBELA – The thieving trend in sugarcane farms has been on sharp increase since the lockdown which was declared after the Covid-19 upsurge.
It is strongly believed that the hoodlums illegally harvest sugarcane to manufacture homemade beer.
Shongwe is unimpressed with these acts of criminality.
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“It is unacceptable that some elements who defy a noble call to desist from alcohol consumption during this lockdown resort to stealing from farmers to produce their own alcohol.
“It takes long hours of hard labour for farmers and workers to produce sugarcanes and other food from the soil, and it cannot be that their sweat is disregarded through acts of criminality,” he said.
Shongwe has committed to escalating this disturbing trend, which if left unchecked, will lead to farmers making a huge loss which will inevitably result in retrenchments.
“Unless we bring an end to this thuggery, farmworkers will lose their jobs and farms will not produce adequate food for the population. Everyone will be affected because we all depend on farmers for the food we eat,” he warned.
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“I will raise this issue with relevant stakeholders including SAPS and my colleagues responsible for safety and security. A watertight strategy has to be developed to curb this unfortunate act of thuggery,” he promised.
He advised farmers to be vigilant and put up measures, which are legally acceptable, to protect their farms.
“Farmers should form a strong partnership with their nearest police stations and set up forums whose sole aim is to devise mechanisms to fight crime.”
