Farm attacks not a race issue

2003-08-22 22:07

Marietie Louw

Pretoria - The number of black farmers, farm workers and their families who are victims of farm attacks are increasing significantly.

This is according to information contained in the long-awaited report into farm attacks that is in Die Burger's possession.

The report indicated that 69% of the victims in 2002 were farmers and farm managers. About 30% of victims were labourers and their families. More than 70% of female victims who were raped in these attacks were black.

Earlier reports indicated that the majority of farm attacks were motivated by "a need to rob and steal".

State advocates quoted in the report said racial hatred was one of the reasons for the high level of violence and cruelty used against the farm victims. Racial hatred was not the motivation for farm attacks, however.

The National Operational Co-ordinating Committee investigated more than 2 000 farm attacks between 1998 and 2001 as part of the report and found that robbery was the motive in 89% of the cases.

In 7%, intimidation played a role, while political and racial motives were relevant in 2% of the attacks. Labour unrest only caused 1% of the attacks.

Charles Nqakula, minister of safety and security, said earlier that the report would be released in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Les Xingwa, spokesperson for Nqakula, denied on Friday that he said that the safety ministers were not satisfied with some of the findings.

Director Sally de Beer, spokesperson for police chief, Commissioner Jackie Selebi, said on Friday it was "untrue" that racial hatred was the motive behind farm attacks. "Minister Nqakula and Commissioner Selebi's interaction with the committee shows how seriously the department is taking this report."

The report claimed that farmers were "very unhappy" about the level of service from their local police stations. The committee found that the number of detectives in rural areas should be increased.

The committee supported the replacement of the commando system on condition that this process "is handled correctly".

The committee said investigations into farm attacks were a high priority and that the number of convictions was higher than for other crimes.

- Beeld