SAHRC report on farm safety confirms need for SAPS Rural Safety Units

20 August 2015

The release this afternoon of the report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation into the safety and security challenges faced by farming communities across the country is further evidence in support of the DA’s proposal for the establishment of specialised Police Rural Safety Unit (see here – PDF).

The DA welcomes the report by the SAHRC and has today announced a motion in the National Assembly to call for a debate on the report at its next sitting and to ensure that the SAHRC’s recommendations are immediately implemented. 

We will also request that the report be tabled in Parliament for consideration as soon as possible.

According to the SAHRC report, the commission noted that sector policing is a challenge in informal communities and in rural and farming communities. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is to issue guidelines for visible policing and all police officers operating in rural and farming communities are to be properly trained.

The commission further recommended that the SAPS consider conducting a crime threat analysis for farming communities, and that the current SAPS Rural Safety Strategy is inadequate and must be reviewed.

The DA has repeatedly called for a new approach to rural safety that will put the protection of all rural communities at the heart of its strategy.

With crime being established as the major cause of violence against farming communities and farm owners, according to the SAHRC, the commission further recommended the following action be taken: 

Law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority should step up their involvement in combating crimes against farming communities;

The SAPS should submit periodic progress reports on crime in farming communities to the SAHRC;

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform should provide a policy brief on the current status of land tenure in the farming communities and establish the standard of housing delivered to farm workers and dwellers, this standard needs to be guided by the principles of dignity; and 

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development should include farming communities in the Promotion of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups (PRVG) programme.

Every South African deserves to live in a safe and secure environment, free from violence and fear. We hope that these recommendations will be treated seriously by Parliament so that this can happen as a matter of priority.

Statement issued by Annette Steyn MP, DA Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, August 20 2015