Farm attacks: Claims false

2003-08-22 13:12

Cape Town - The office of the national police commissioner has dismissed media claims that a report found racism is behind farm attacks.

Director Sally de Beer, spokesperson for National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, said the article, which appeared in a Johannesburg newspaper, was "completely untrue".

"The suggestion that there is an intention to change or interfere with the report is also untrue," she said.

Beeld on Friday said - based on a copy of a section of the report in its possession - that the main motive for farm attacks was robbery. Racial hatred also played a significant role.

The release of the report on farm attacks - scheduled for Wednesday this week - was delayed because Nqakula and Justice Minister Penuell Maduna said they were not satisfied with certain aspects of it.

This prompted an outcry by opposition parties, who questioned the independence of the committee that compiled the report and the integrity of the document itself.

De Beer said the fact that Nqakula and Selebi had both interacted with the committee showed how seriously the ministry viewed the matter.

Nqakula would meet the committee, other ministers, top police management and the nine safety and security MECs within the next fortnight.

The report would be released to the public once it had been presented to cabinet.

"In the interim, speculation and rumours should be ignored as these detract from huge effort made by the committee in drawing up an independent and thoroughly-researched report," De Beer said.

- SAPA