Attackers now target isolated farms

Acting Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. File picture: Oupa Mokoena

Acting Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane. File picture: Oupa Mokoena

Published May 5, 2016

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Pretoria - Unleashing attacks on farmers on isolated farms instead of those on small-holdings has become the new modus operandi used by criminals. Acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane said the police’s analysis had shown there was a major shift in terms of the victims targeted for crimes on farms.

He was speaking on Wednesday following a meeting with the civil rights organisation AfriForum on farm crimes. The parties agreed on a dual strategy to tackle the phenomenon.

The strategy entails focusing some resources in the fight against farm attacks, proactive policing and the communities doing their part by conducting neighbourhood watches. Phahlane said police were willing to share best practice and lessons in the fight against crime with communities.

AfriForum sought an audience with the police to hear the “practical steps” planned by the police to tackle farm crimes. Its deputy chief executive Ernst Roets said the meeting was informed by Phahlane’s previous statement to prioritise farm attacks in this financial year.

Roets described the meeting as a historic moment and pledged the support of at least 170 farmers affiliated to AfriForum to the police’s work.

Farm crimes mostly occur between Thursdays and Saturdays at night and most victims are attacked while asleep, said Phahlane. The perpetrators are mostly males aged between 20 and 35 made up of foreign nationals. Their victims were mainly 50 years and above.

However, Phahlane said there had been a decline in farm attacks and most arrests made were due to co-operation between police and farming communities.

The number of reported criminal incidents on farms had declined from 532 in the 2010/11 financial year to 446 in the last financial year, Phahlane said. “These attacks have led to the theft of motor vehicles and firearms, as well as cellphones, electronic equipment and jewellery.”

The number of reported murders on farms and smallholdings had declined from 80 in the 2010/11 financial year to 49 in the 2015/16 financial year. KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Limpopo and Gauteng had been identified as hotspot provinces where more than two incidents of violence and murder were reported in the 2015/16 financial year.

In terms of convictions, Phahlane said there had been some successes in the past three years. Some suspects had been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in the Eastern Cape and to a maximum of 80 years behind bars in KwaZulu-Natal.

There was a plan in the pipeline to host a round table discussion between the police, AfriForum and agricultural unions to discuss the phenomenon. He said there was a need for increased representation of farming communities in community policing forums.

Farm crimes, Phahlane said, included all acts of violence against the infrastructure and property in rural communities aimed at disrupting legal farming activities.

Phahlane said reported farm attacks included murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, with intention to do grievous bodily harm, armed robberies, hijackings, intimidation, arson, and malicious damage to property.

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