FARM MURDERS ARE CREATING A ZIMBABWE SITUATION

"Farm murders which had taken place this past weekend, in which farm attackers acted in groups of between ten to sixteen members, are very disconcerting and creates a Zimbabwe situation. The cruel farm murder of a 54 year old man and the rape of his wife and assault of a three year old child near Polokwane and one close to Carolina where a wooden house with a woman and children inside were set alight, is extremely shocking. The attackers at Polokwane numbered nearly sixteen and those at the Carolina attack were more than ten in number. In both cases nothing was stolen or robbed. It is clear that criminals are acting with superior power to destroy any resistance and to ensure maximum intimidation," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus says.

"The Polokwane murder was so cruel that members of the Police had to receive counselling. It is proof that the attackers want to instil fear in the community. When large groups of criminals commit crime it is not ordinary criminality, but there is another motive and agenda. Concerning the Freedom Front Plus, it is the party's opinion that these are typical actions with a political motive to chase people off their land and will be viewed as such until the opposite is proven," Groenewald says.

"The Minister of Police, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa, will now have to prove that his words are being changed into actions. He holds talks with various groups but everything will just remain lip-service if the Police does not act decisively and view farm murders as a priority crime and expose criminals," Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Spokesperson: police, April 20 2010

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