Farm murders to be prioritised

5 May 2016

It was announced today at a joint media conference of AfriForum and the acting National Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Khomotso Phahlane, that farm murders will be officially prioritised. 

This conference follows a joint workshop attended by AfriForum and Phahlane. Various steps will be taken, which comes down to a focused strategy against farm murders. The plan especially involves closer cooperation between the Police and local communities. 

The discussion happened at the request of AfriForum after Phahlane earlier this year stated in the media that farm murders should enjoy greater priority.

“We were concerned that this was simply a passing remark that would not necessarily lead to real action,” said Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO ofAfriForum.

During the discussion, AfriForum presented a submission to the Police about farm murders, the impact thereof and the reasons why it should be prioritised. This was followed by a presentation by the Commissioner about the steps that the Police intends to take in a bid to curb farm attacks.

“We are convinced that these steps, if implemented, will have a real impact and that we could expect a decrease in farm murders.”

AfriForum has been driving a campaign since 2012 to have farm murders prioritised, and is of the opinion that, although the problem has not yet been solved completely, this step is a giant leap in the right direction.

“AfriForum will continue to cooperate with the Police to ensure that the plan will be implemented from ground level up,” Roets said.

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, 5 May 2016