Another farm murder:  Rural South Africans  -  the victims of a failing government

The Democratic Alliance is shocked by yet another farm attack in the North West resulting in the death of a 49-year-old farmer. 

The striking prevalence of farm attacks in the North West as well as other rural provinces testifies to the extreme vulnerability of rural South Africans in the absence of proper, visible and coordinated sector policing. It also highlights a badly managed police reservist program that results in under empowered rural communities that are neither structured nor trained to protect themselves and are being left destitute to fend for themselves. 

A safe environment is a basic human right guaranteed by the Constitution of South Africa.  The government is neglecting its responsibility towards the safety of its rural citizens.  The DA would like to remind the government that there are no such thing as second class South African citizens and that South Africans living and working on farms` safety should not manifest as second priority to those of blue light brigades, Ministers, politicians and urban dwellers. 

The Democratic Alliance commits itself to work towards ensuring a more effective, more visible sector policing in the North West as well as an urgent inquest into the state of the North West police reservist program.

Our sincerest sympathy goes out to victims of rural violence all over South Africa. We would stop at nothing to ensure rural South Africans that unlike  the ANC government we have not deserted them and will work without cease towards a new majority that is indeed willing and able to deliver on the constitutional rights of South Africans. 

Statement issued by Juanita Terblanché, DA Member of Parliament for Potchefstroom, February 21 2012

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