Sir – The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has identified the safety of farmers, farm workers and rural communities as a critical part of its agenda during the next five-year parliamentary term.
The latest statistics on KZN farm murders, by farmers union TLU SA and minority rights group AfriForum, indicate our province has the second highest farm murder rate in South Africa. With 381 deaths since 1990 the number is still alarmingly high.
Although farm murders have decreased over time, the number of farm attacks has increased and both farm murders and farm attacks, as well as the safety of rural communities in general, must be a priority for the new MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The reports single out Richmond, Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River as the places with the highest concentration of farm murders in the province. This suggests that a better strategy for combating farm-related crimes in the Umgungundlovu District Municipality is needed.
The DA has proposed a response to address murders and attacks in the agriculture sector and in rural areas including:
- The establishment of rural policing units staffed by specially trained and equipped members of SAPS, that will fulfill a rapid response function as well as liaise and coordinate with other specialist units in the SAPS;
- The establishment of dedicated provincial rural safety directorates that will draft, implement and monitor province-specific rural safety strategies;
- The establishment of an extensive citizen band radio network, by subsidising mobile and fixed radio sets that will connect community members, rural community policing units and local police stations;
- The establishment of a rural crime intelligence division to keep separate statistics on rural crime categories, such as stock theft and establish a well-integrated crime intelligence network in rural areas.
Agriculture is a major contributor to employment and GPD in KZN. In addition, agriculture is vital for the food security of the province. In this regard, the safety of farmers, farm workers and rural communities must be a key focus of the 6th administration in KZN.
The DA in KZN will continue to raise this issue with MEC Sithole-Moloi and drive a solution-orientated approach.
The DA’s full plan on rural safety can be found in the DA 2019 manifesto (https://manifesto.da.org.za).
Chris Pappas, MPL – DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development
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