Farm attacks are not motivated by politics, race or land, says Kwanalu

THE overwhelming conclusion reached by the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) in its report is that socio-economic issues are driving farm attacks.

The report also highlights how crucial it is for farmers to be vigilant at all times, taking every possible security precaution available to them to protect their households.

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“The safety and security of our farmers is of paramount importance to us,” said Kwanalu CEO, Sandy la Marque. “As an organisation, we have a duty to educate and empower our members.

The purpose of this report is to ensure stakeholders are fully informed about the nature of these crimes,” said Ms la Marque.

“In order to fight back we need to learn from the statistics by tightening our security even further, working together in our communities and making sure it is a top priority.”

The statistics presented in the report suggest that there is no concrete pattern associated with farm attacks. Of the 34 incidents that took place in 2016, over 60 percent occurred at night.

In 15 of these 34 incidents, perpetrators gained access through an open window or door. The report also indicates that in only nine of the 34 incidents, security measures were in place.

“We urge all farmers to use every security measure at their disposal and regularly check that these measures are in working order,” said Ms la Marque.

“What is clear from the data in the report and evidence heard in court, is that the reason behind these attacks is not race, politics or land but by socio-economic circumstances that lead to opportunistic crimes.

“Having said this,” she adds: “We are still extremely concerned about inflammatory and inciting statements made regarding race, politics and land and believe that those behind these irresponsible statements should be brought to account.”

Of the 34 farm incidents that took place last year, five resulted in seven murders. Based on the evidence reported, the number of attackers involved in each incident is also on the rise with an average of three attackers per incident.

“We’re not trying to breed fear,” insists Ms la Marque. “Crime in South Africa is a reality. Unfortunately the rural nature of farms, where the nearest neighbour is generally some way away, does make farmers even more vulnerable to attacks,” she said. “It is therefore imperative that farmers take every precaution available to them when it comes to their safety and security and that of their family when they are in the house or out on the farm.”

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Ms la Marque commended the SAPS for treating farm attacks as a high priority crime, responding to incidents swiftly and professionally.

“Although we do see the response and reaction from the SAPS which these priority crimes warrant, we are still concerned about the level of petty crime in farming communities that goes largely unchecked. Petty crime is often a sign of something worse to come as perpetrators not only get away with it but also have an opportunity to return to a property with which they are now familiar, with more than petty theft in mind,” she said.

“Farmers need to be vigilant at all times and to look after themselves and those in their community by forging relationships and building trust within their communities.”

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