Farm murders point to consequences of Malema’s statements
4 August 2023
The massacre on farms and small holdings this week in which six people were killed, the most recent which was last night at Randfontein, leaves no room for doubt about the consequences of Julius Malema's inflammatory statements.
By continuing to sing so-called struggle songs and inciting supporters to murder farmers and white people, the leader of the EFF is demonstrating that his party does not have peaceful objectives.
There is no need for a debate about the notion that Malema's statements frequently result in a massacre of innocent people.
A 2003 police report found that statements by politicians incite people to violence, and that it is one of the main causes of farm attacks and murders.
This is proven time and again, as was the case this week after Malema sang the “Kill the Boer” song last Sunday in the FNB Stadium.
In last night's incident at the Randridge small holdings, a couple and their two young sons aged eight and ten were attacked. An AK-47 assault rifle was reportedly used in the attack, which points to the smuggling of illegal firearms in the country.
According to the available information, the man was shot dead and his wife was seriously wounded in the back. Whether the children were also injured remains unknown. The family's names have not yet been released.
According to reports, the family arrived home at around 20:00 when they noticed a stranger in the yard. The man presumably got out of his bakkie and was shot.
His wife apparently jumped out of the vehicle and was also shot. She was taken to the Milpark Hospital.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims". It could also be defined as "an organised, terrifying act or campaign of violence to achieve a political goal; a reign of terror and threat to the safety of someone or a group through violence".
This is exactly what Malema is instigating and, by all indications, achieving with his statements. It should not be tolerated in any civilised society.
It is unacceptable that the country's courts, institutions such as the HRC and even the country's president are indirectly condoning farm attacks with their silence and failure to act.
The FF Plus pointed out last year that a wave of farm attacks and murders followed the ruling by the Equality Court (on 25 August) that singing the song "Kill the Boer" does not constitute hate speech.
In a media release three years ago, on 1 July 2020, I said, among other things, "The recent unprecedented wave of farm attacks and murders in South Africa should compel the president of the country to respond to it and strongly condemn it."
So far, nothing has been condemned and no-one has taken any action. In fact, the attacks are becoming more brutal.
According to TAU SA, 35 farm murders have already been committed in the first seven months of this year. Many people have also been seriously injured and tortured. This is in comparison to last year's 24 murders in the same period.
This week, the international spotlight fell on the issue with Elon Musk's tweets. But still President Cyril Ramaphosa remains silent on the matter. It cannot go on like this.
Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 4 August 2023
