“Several farmers and farm labourers were brutally assaulted and that is why we call on the farming community to further sharpen their vigilance. Within Agri SA and our provincial organisations we will do everything in our power to curb crime,” said Agri SA President Dan Kriek.

Agri SA has already approached the newly appointed Minister of Police as well as the National Commissioner to urgently discuss the ongoing farm violence and the impact thereof on farming communities. Aspects such as, finalising the revised Rural Protection Strategy as well as the reservist system will be subjects for discussion. A well-functioning reservist system that is accessible for members of the farming community forms the backbone to rural protection.

Agri SA remains committed to finding a solution in cooperation with established authority- and civil society structures. Even though there has been significant international interest on farm attacks, South African farmers do not seek assurance from abroad, but rather from their own government.

Farmworkers and farmers are highly valuable resources who are necessary to ensure food security and rural stability in South Africa. This is why they need to be properly protected to ensure there is food for the nation, something they manage to do extremely well.”

Queries

The post Press Release: Urgent Action Needed Against Farm Attacks appeared first on Agri Limpopo.

Agri SA is displeased with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that there is “no killings of farmers” in South Africa. He said this in an interview at the United Nations in New York in response to US President, Donald Trump’s controversial tweet in August.

“Farm attacks and murders on all farmers, farm workers and their families is a huge problem that needs to be recognized,” said Dan Kriek, Agri SA President.

The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, released the latest figures on these attacks earlier this month. The police’s crime statistics show that 62 farm murders occurred during 2017/2018. Agri SA appeals to President Ramaphosa as the President of South Africa to give the necessary nuances and facts about the matter.

“The extent to which food producers and their workers are subjected to brutal attacks cannot be denied. According to the latest report from Agri SA, farmers lost approximately R7.7 billion in 2017 due to crime on farms,” says Kriek.

Agri SA has been involved in various talks with, among others, President Ramaphosa, Minister Cele, Minister of Agriculture, Senzeni Zokwana and international role-players. Agri SA will emphasize the utmost urgency of farm safety on all possible forums, nationally and internationally.

Click HERE to read  Agri SA’s latest crime report. 

Enquiries:
Dan Kriek
Agri SA President
C: 082 944 0566

Omri van Zyl
Agri SA: Executive director
C: 082 417 5724

Kobus Visser
Agri SA Director: Rural Safety and Provincial Affairs
C: 082 388 0010

The post Agri SA Media release: The extent of farm attacks must be internationally recognized appeared first on Agri Limpopo.