Roodepoort community joins farm murders awareness campaign
South Africa has lost between 3 000 and 6 000 commercial farmers.
“They want to get rid of farmers and take back the land.” This was one of the strong messages from the farming community and patriots who took to the streets to raise awareness about farm killings in the country on 30 October.
Dubbed ‘Black Monday’, activists in parts of Roodepoort and Krugersdorp participated in the nationwide campaign, taking a stand against farm attacks and murders.
The campaign started in Cape Town, following the murder of a farmer early this month.
Also Read: New police recruits to focus on farm murders
The Northsider visited Hendrik Potgieter Road between Clearwater Mall and Fredenharry Road in Strubens Valley, where the community, representatives of the Honeydew Policing Forum and various security companies clad in black T-shirts crowded the roadside, to show solidarity with the cause.
“We are really fed up with the farm murders. What is the government doing to stop them? Why is no stand taken against them?” Helen McDonald, a community activist, asked.
She added that farmers play a vital role in our society and contribute immensely to the South African economy and should be protected. “They provide food and many jobs. When farmers are killed, all the community members lose their jobs. They are then displaced and have no source of income.”
Another activist, Allen Hobson, revealed that the country has lost between three and six thousand commercial farmers. “This shows that we are on the brink of not having an adequate food supply in the country,” he said.
He added that these killings seem to be planned. “They want to get rid of farmers and take back the land. The government has a lot of land – why can’t they give it to the people?” Hobson asked.
Jon Rosenberg, the public relations officer for the Honeydew CPF praised the the community and motorists who supported the cause. “The support we received from all racial groups as they drove past, giving us the thumbs-up, was very good. I think people understand that the situation affects everybody the same way – without farmers there’s no food,” Rosenberg explained.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
