AfriForum calls on President Zuma to address victims of farm attacks

AfriForum today appealed to President Jacob Zuma to enter into conversation with the victims of farm attacks.

The civil rights organisation also expressed its concerns with regards to the fact that the President finds it easy to make time in his diary to actively participate in an awareness campaign against rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas, but despite several clarion calls by the public, is not willing to address the victims of farm attacks. The President yesterday delivered a speech to approximately 5 000 residents from Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge in the Skukuza soccer stadium on Anti-Rhino Poaching Awareness Day.

“It seems to us as if Government has no insight for the pain, suffering and emotional trauma experienced by these victims. It also doesn’t seem as though Government is serious about job creation and food security, as farmers, who are job creators and food producers, are being murdered in exceptional high proportions, but doesn’t really receive any reaction from Government,” said Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum.    

Roets added that AfriForum is delighted about Government’s intervention to combat rhino poaching and that the President is personally making time to get involved in this battle. “There is however no logical reason why Government can ignore farm murders while special measures are being put in place to prioritise rhino poaching.”

AfriForum has declared November 2015 as a national month of protest against farm murders.

AfriForum is calling on all South Africans to add their names to the organisation’s letter of protest. In the run-up to the UN conference, which will take place during the last week of November 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland, AfriForum will launch a wide-ranging campaign to enlist support for a memorandum that will be submitted to the UN.    

- AfriForum wants to strengthen its UN report with at least 100 000 names of South Africans who support this matter. To show their support, the public can visit the website www.stopthemurders.co.za or SMS their name to 32534 at R1.

- AfriForum will soon also establish a unit that will focus on the victims of farm attacks and murders.

Issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, 2 November 2015