3 murders in 3 days. Police still absent in rural safety – AfriForum

AfriForum has again appealed to communities, especially those in rural areas, to safeguard themselves and to call in the help of the civil rights organisation to establish neighbourhood watches. This, after two more farm murders took place in Boschkop, east of Pretoria, which brings the number of farm murders in the Boschkop and Cullinan area to three in just three days.

“Self-safety is the only effective way in which South Africans can help ensure their protection. It’s a let-down that government is failing to execute this crucial duty to the citizens of the country,” Ian Cameron, Head of Community Safety at AfriForum, said.

The following 4 attacks were reported to AfriForum:

1. A family of Jakkalsdans, Cullinan was held hostage in an armed robbery on 12 May.
2. Charlie Groenewald (76) of Boschkop was murdered on 13 May. He fatally wounded one of the alleged attackers.
3. Gert van Dyk was severely wounded in the early morning hours of 16 May. He is still recovering in hospital.
4. Louis (82) and Sandra (80) Swanepoel of Mooiplaats, Boschkop were both murdered on 16 May.

According to Cameron the modus operandi of the attackers are still unknown. There was gang related activities in the area the past week which contributed to murder and robbery.

“Brigadier W.B. Kweyama of the SAPS’ area cluster was supposed to give feedback yesterday of the future plans for rural safety in the area, but it did not materialise. The police is absent, leadership is non-existent and the police officers at ground level cannot implement effective policing without the necessary sources and leadership,” Cameron said.

AfriForum and members of the community marched to the Cullinan Police Station after the murder of Mr Das Venter in March 2014. No plan of action has however been put in place.

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