FF Plus welcomes premier Thandi Modise of the Northwest's comments about farm murders
The Freedom Front Plus strongly condemns the cruel murder of a farmer from Verntersdorp and the violent attack on his wife the past weekend.
Mr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus' spokesperson on Police as well as provincial leader in the Northwest, says the FF Plus will continue to work toward having farm murders declared a priority crime.
In the past eight months there has been a spate of farm attacks and murders. In the Brits area alone, eight people have been murdered and 22 attacks took place during this period.
In the attack this week, a farmer, Mr. Johan Stighlingh from the farm Sterkstroom outside Ventersdorp, died of head wounds after he had been hit on his head with an unknown object. His wife Cora (63) was attacked with a baseball bat and her arm was broken in the attack. The couple was attacked on Sunday just before they were to leave for church (see Beeld report).
Mr. Groenewald said he welcomes the strong comments about the attack made by the premier of the Northwest, Ms. Thandi Modise. She said amongst others that people, who are guilty of violence against the farming community, should be permanently removed from the community. "Those guilty of violence, especially against vulnerable old people, does not have a place in society. They have to be removed permanently," she said.
Mr. Groenewald said that it is the first time that a high ranking official of the ANC has made such strong statements about farm attacks. "It is heartening to hear that the senseless and barbaric attacks on our farming community are eventually being strongly criticised," Groenewald said.
One person was arrested this morning (Monday) in connection with the incident. Mr. Groenewald said he wants to thank the police who, with good investigative work, made a breakthrough in the case so quickly.
Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson on Police and provincial leader in Northwest, March 18 2013
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