AfriForum to intensify campaign against farm attacks
AfriForum today announced that the civil rights organization will launch an intensified campaign next month against government’s refusal to prioritise farm murders. The organization is currently compiling a document, titled “The Mthethwa Docket”. The document contains details of ten events in the past two years where victims of farm attacks and citizens whose loved-ones were murdered on farms attempted to mobilise the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa’s intervention against farm murders. All their attempts were however met with contempt.
This step comes after National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega yesterday confirmed to the Western Cape provincial legislature once again that the SAPS has the ability to establish specialist units for crimes that are of unique significance. General Phiyega’s answer to a question regarding the establishment of specialist units for specific crimes is quoted in today’s daily newspaper, Beeld: “As dié ding regtig handuit ruk, sal ons daarna kyk”, translated as “If this thing (with reference to particular crimes) gets out of hand, we will have a look at it”.
Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum says farm murders have spiralled out of control decades ago, but that the police not only refuses to implement specialist units to put a stop to it, but also to acknowledge that it’s a crisis.
“Farm murders are a unique crime and unique crimes require unique counter-strategies. It however appears as if the Police Commissioner and especially Minister Mthethwa are unwilling to acknowledge this reality.”
Roets added that the problem primarily lies at the minister’s office.
“There is no rational explanation why farm murders should not be prioritized. We however suspect that acknowledgement of the problem could create a political embarrassment for the ANC, who often use farmers as political punching bags.”
• More information regarding the campaign will be released in the near future.