Farm attacks and murders at an all time low in KZN

South African farm attacks are violent crimes that often include murder, assault and robbery, but local farmers will be pleased to hear that statistics show KwaZulu-Natal farm attacks and murders to be at their lowest.

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The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has released its annual analysis of attacks and murders that took place in farming areas in the province last year.

The report shows that the rate of farm murders and attacks in KZN has dropped significantly, resulting in it being the lowest in 16 years.

Kwanalu learned that in all cases where evidence has been led, socio-economic issues are the reasons for the attacks, with no direct link to land, politics or race.

The report also highlights that in many of the attacks, inadequate security measures were in place and that perpetrators were not afraid to attack in daylight hours.  Kwanalu CEO Sandy La Marque will now focus mainly on safety and security.

“The safety and security of our members is of utmost importance to us and a strategic focus area of the organisation. As such, we have a duty to empower farmers with knowledge and fact-based statistics with our annual analysis of farm attacks and murders to ensure that our members and associated security stakeholders are fully and correctly informed about the nature and circumstances of crimes that have taken place in farms in the province, so that they are even better prepared,” said Ms La Marque.

Data was collected by Kwanalu from January 1 to December 31, 2018, and this was used to release the statistics.  This now offers farmers and affected stakeholders insight and relevant information based on factual evidence, instead of inaccurate reports.

The information in Kwanalu’s report was conducted in commercial farming areas and includes all people who live on commercial farms in these areas.

The statistics presented in the 2018 report indicate that one murder took place in the province, involving three attackers who gained access at night by digging underneath an electric fence and breaking a door. No arrests, in this case, have as yet taken place.

There were 24 farm attacks in 2018 in the province, with the majority taking place on a Tuesday and a Thursday.  12 of the 24 attacks took place in the farmhouse, seven in the farmyard and five on the farm.

Weapons used in these 24 attacks are broken down as follows: 14 firearms, four knives, an axe, bush knives, and six “other” weapons. The total number of attackers in the 24 cases is calculated at 74, with the primary target indicating firearms and or cash from wages or stock sales.

Ms La Marque was glad to note that: “It is clear from the data in the 2018 report that the reasons behind these attacks, as in the case of previous years, are not motivated by race, land or politics, but rather by socio-economic circumstances that lead to opportunistic crimes.”

The data also reveals that, in many incidents, inadequate security measures were in place.

“We urge all farmers to use every security measure at their disposal and to regularly check that these measures are in working order,” said La Marque.

She further encouraged all farmers to join their local farmer/landowner associations to further provide farmers with access to security information and support. Of the 24 farm attacks and one murder, only four victims were members of Kwanalu.

“A vital role of organised agriculture is that of the safety and security of our members. As a body, we are able to represent farmers on the provincial structures of safety and security, are able to assist with crime follow-ups, and assist members with advice on criminal matters and procedures, provide a direct link to the SAPS and provide expert evidence in court, as well as supply members with accurate and tangible information on best security practices,” said La Marque.

“From this data, we reiterate the need for farmers to remain vigilant at all times and look after themselves and those in their community by the forging of relationships, joining their local farmers’ associations and by building trust within local communities,” concluded La Marque.

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