AfriForum accelerates the expansion of safety networks after a sharp increase in farm murders

16 August 2023

AfriForum’s figures show that 76 farm attacks took place in the second quarter of 2023. The organisation’s Community Safety division verified these figures from April to June 2023.

When the statistics of the second quarter are compared with the first quarter of 2023, there is a frightening increase in the number of murders that have taken place. AfriForum’s Community Safety division warned with the release of the first quarter’s figures that if criminals are not caught, a possible increase could occur.

“Although the number of attacks for the first and second quarter is more or less the same, murders increased by 167% – from nine in the first quarter to 24 in the second quarter,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

“Of all the second quarters over the last five years (since 2019), the second quarter of 2023 recorded the highest number of murders,” says Johan Nortjé, a researcher at AfriForum.

The database of AfriForum’s Community Safety division also shows that in just 15 of the 76 farm attacks recorded for the second quarter, suspects were arrested. There was also an average of 5,85 incidents per week.

According to Broodryk, AfriForum will continue to expand its safety networks.

“We already have 168 neighbourhood and farm watch structures nationwide with around 11 000 trained volunteers who help to secure their communities. Just last week, we saw again how AfriForum’s proto team in Brits caught four farm attackers within an hour and a half after the attack. The more people get involved, the more effective these networks will become,” concludes Broodryk.

Join your nearest AfriForum farm or neighbourhood watch at www.afrifroumbuurtwag.co.za.

Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 16 August 2023