GALLERY: Newcastle unites for #BlackMonday – (Watch)

The aim of the gathering was to pray for the safety and well-being of farmers, and to have a moment of silence, in memory of all farmers who had been murdered.

November 3, 2017

Zianne Leibrandt 2 minutes read

A scooter driver stops to show his support.

Traffic came to a slight halt as Newcastillians gathered on October 30, to join the national #BlackMonday protest along Victoria Road and Hardwick Street.

Dressed in black, eager protesters handed motorists bumper stickers in attempt to raise awareness, as well as to show their support for the cause.

Later on that evening, residents flocked to Newcastle Corner as Newcastle 911 CPF hosted a mass prayer gathering.

The aim of the gathering was to pray for the safety and well-being of farmers, and to have a moment of silence, in memory of all farmers who had been murdered.

Johan Pieters of Champ Marketing gave a welcoming address and read a few statistics regarding the number of farm murders.

Head of Newcastlle 911, Mornè Potgieter took to the stage and thanked each and every resident for attending the gathering.

Newcastle 911 wished to convey a special thanks to Gary of the Newcastle Voyagers for their role in the event and Lee-Anne van Aswegan for sponsoring the bumper stickers which were handed out during the day.

ALSO READ: #BlackMonday: South Africans stand in solidarity against #FarmMurders

MUST WATCH: Newcastillians gather at Newcastle Corner for mass prayer on #BlackMonday

Here are five quick facts on South African farm murders:

– The world average murder rate is 6,2 per 100 000 people per year. However, the South African murder ratio is 34,1 per 100 000 per year.

– The ratio at which commercial farmers and farm workers in South Africa are being killed has been calculated at an extreme 156 per 100 000 per year.

– More than 90 people have been killed in and around the Glebelands Hostel in KZN since 2014, and yet no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths

– There have been at least 341 farm attacks in SA this year, since January 1, in which 70 people were murdered.

– So far, more farmers and farm workers have been killed during farm attacks during 2017 than in the whole of 2016.