MEC Yawa condemns Kleinfontein Farmer's murder, March 22 2010

North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Monday condemned in the strongest terms the latest farm attack in the province in which 60-years Kleinfontein farmer, Koos Van Staden, was allegedly killed

MEC Yawa who is angered by the recent farm attack has urged police to intensify their effort to work closer with the farming community to prevent farm attacks and to speedily arrest those responsible for the violent attack.

Yawa appeals to the public to come forward with information which might assist police in their investigations.

Van Staden was allegedly shot through his bedroom door in the Kleinfontein district outside Brits while he was trying to prevent his assailant/s from entering his bedroom at around 12h30 on Saturday morning. Van Staden was allegedly shot moments after he had screamed to his wife Heleen to get his gun .The couple were had woken by an alarm.

The vegetable farmer was declared dead on arrival at the local hospital after he was rushed there. His wife was unhurt.

According to police who were summoned to the scene, both of the couple's dogs had been poisoned. One was found dead, while the second one survived. Nothing was stolen during the attack and there were no signs of forced entry on the premises.

The attack is the second in the province in the past week. Last Saturday, Buffelshoek farmer Daniel Benjamin Nortje survived a farm attack after he was allegedly shot with a shotgun through his bedroom window. Nothing was stolen during the attack as well.

Yawa last week paid Nortje a compassionate visit at his home upon being discharged from hospital. No arrests have thus far been made in both cases.

Statement issued by Lesiba Moses Kgwele North West Department of Public Safety spokesperson, March 22 2010

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