AfriForum and victims request Human Rights Commission hearing on farm murders

AfriForum, together with a victim whose husband was recently murdered in a farm attack, will submit a volume of complaints to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) tomorrow, requesting the Commission to initiate a formal public hearing on farm murders, with specific focus on the don’t-care-attitude of the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, toward these crimes.

AfriForum will specifically request the Commission to subpoena the Minister to testify at such a hearing about his unwillingness to act against farm attacks. The volume consists of eight complaints of South Africans who have lost loved ones in farm attacks.

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum explains that farm attacks is an escalating problem and that the Minister as well as the Department of Police are not only refusing to work out a counterstrategy for farm murders, but they’re blatantly denying the crisis.

Earlier this year, AfriForum presented over 100 letters from victims of farm attacks to Minister Mthethwa. Before the letters even reached the Minister’s desk, his office issued a media statement in which the victims’ calls for his intervention were brushed aside as a “publicity stunt”.

The media is hereby cordially invited to attend the presentation of the complaints. Details are as follows:

Date: 30 May 2013
Time: 11:00
Place: SAHRC Head Office, 33 Hoofd Street, Braampark Forum 3, Braamfontein
RSVP: Esmarie Prinsloo at 072 332 9824/esmarie@afriforum.co.za