AfriForum welcomes verdict re Ottosdal farm murder, asks for farm murder strategy

AfriForum said today that the civil rights organisation was grateful for the verdict in the farm murder case of André van der Merwe, a farmer from Ottosdal who was murdered in 2011, but added that a reactive approach to the farm murder crisis will not stop this phenomenon. The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, was requested to implement a pro-active counterstrategy for farm murders.

Two accused, Thabo Mathloko and Shadrack Thapelo Smith, were both convicted of murder in the Mahikeng High Court and sentenced to life in prison. André van der Merwe was shot four times on 30 April 2011 and dragged for 1,5 km behind his bakkie while still alive. One of the accused was found not guilty due to a lack of evidence.

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, said that the conviction of Mathloko and Smith was a confirmation that justice could prevail in this country if the various parties did their duty.

"This verdict cannot bring back Van der Merwe and cannot erase the pain and trauma experienced by the community. The only long term solution is to compile a focused counterstrategy for farm murders, as was done for other unique crimes in the country," Roets said.

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, AfriForum Deputy CEO, March 14 2013

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