3 in court for farm attack in Lamberts Bay
Agricultural leaders say farm attacks pose a direct threat to the sustainability of farming operations after yet another case, this time in the Western Cape.
The three men accused of assaulting a farmer in the Western Cape a week ago appeared in the Lamberts Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The suspects face charges of attempted murder and theft of a motor vehicle.
The farmer (65) remains in a critical condition in hospital with severe head injuries after the assault on the R365 near a farm outside Lamberts Bay on March 5 at 11:54.
Attack
Eric Ntabazalila, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, says the state alleges the men attacked a farmer who had offered them a lift.
Ntabazalila says that during their court appearance, the accused indicated they would not be applying for bail.
“Their identities have not been released because police still need to conduct an identity parade,” says Ntabazalila.
The case has been postponed to May 25 for further investigation.
Local support
In a bid to raise awareness about the brutality of farm attacks, local farmers placed posters on their cars outside the court with the words ‘Save the farmer’.
Leaders in the farming community, Agri Western Cape and the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Ivan Meyer, also attended the court proceedings.
Challenges
Jannie Strydom, the CEO of Agri Western Cape, says stock theft remains a major challenge for producers and is often accompanied by violence and intimidation.
“This type of crime poses a direct threat to the sustainability of farming operations and the safety of rural communities,” adds Strydom.
He says the strong presence of stakeholders from the agricultural community at the court sent a clear message of support to the affected farmer and his family.
United against crime
Strydom adds that it was also a sign that the agricultural community stands united against crime in rural areas.
“Agri Western Cape will continue to monitor the case closely and remains committed to working with authorities and communities to promote rural safety,” he says.
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