Farm crime - minister sets record straight

2011-03-10 20:09

Cape Town - Twelve people have been murdered on farms since December 1 2010, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.

"According to available information as identified as part of the functioning of weekly crime analysis meetings, from the 1st of December 2010 to date, there were 12 murders on farms and small holdings recorded by the South African Police Service," said Mthethwa.

Responding to a question in the National Council of Provinces, he said that the figure quoted in the question put to him that 60 farmers had been murdered since December 1 2010 was incorrect.

"I wish to point out that the quote by AgriSA never stated that there had been 60 farmers murdered, but rather 60 criminal incidents on farms which include robbery, stock theft, car theft etc.

"According to available information from December 1 2010 to date, there were 12 murders on farms."

Mthethwa said his department was doing everything in its power to address farm murders and crime on farms.

He said that both farmers and farm workers were killed and that each case was a priority.

"My department takes each and every murder seriously and government considers rural safety one of its priorities."

Mthethwa said a comprehensive rural safety strategy to enhance safety and security levels, accessibility to policing and service delivery to rural communities was recently developed and was in the process of being rolled out to all provinces.

A rural safety priority committee was functioning at the national level and was represented by "all players" in the rural and farming communities including farm workers unions, organised agriculture and government departments.

- SAPA