TAU SA campaign on Farm Killings start this week
After it became clear that farm murders in South Africa seems to be on the rise, TAU SA announced an awareness campaign in South Africa as well as internationally.
Since the beginning of January, six farmers were murdered compared to 1 farmer murdered during January 2011. The number of non-fatal attacks were also higher than in 2011.
TAU SA General Manager, Mr Bennie van Zyl , said this is unacceptable. "For several years now we have tried to convince the South African government to take action. Nothing has been done, and the only response we got was that ‘farm attacks are no longer a priority but a mere concern'. We are convinced that government is turning a deaf ear to our views, and now we have no other choice than to make use of other options to protect our farmers, who are the country's food producers," said Mr van Zyl.
"We as farmers cannot be counted in terms of our numbers, because there are only about 35 000 commercial farmers left. But we can be weighed in terms of our contribution to the South African economy. If we could mobilize the South African consumers to support the farmers, this weight could become much more in terms of economic considerations. We have therefore opened a SMS line where people can deliver messages of support, and also pledge a small donation which will be partially used for our international awareness actions, and partially for our trauma fund to support the victims of farm attacks.
"Our international awareness action also starts this week. TAU SA's Assistant-General Manager: Communications, Mr Henk van de Graaf, is currently in Europe , where he will bring the full dimensions of farm attacks to the attention of political parties, cultural organisations, governments and other stake holders. The visit culminates in a presentation to the European Parliament, where he will deliver the key note address at a public meeting of all European Parliamentarians on farm killings in South Africa . If the South African government does not want to listen to us, who represent the commercial farmers in South Africa , we have utilise other means to convince government to take action," said Mr van Zyl.
People who would want to support TAU SA's actions in this regard, can send a SMS with the key word: TLUSTOP to 48716. Each SMS costs R10 which will be used for our international campaign as well as our trauma fund. The members of the public can also leave their names on TAU SA's web site at www.tlu.co.za as part of a petition campaign against farm killings.
Statement issued by TAU SA, January 31 2012
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