More cops sent to KZN farm
2007-01-16 10:58
Johannesburg - Extra police have been sent to the New Venture farm in KwaZulu-Natal amid fears of more violence after the murder of a farm manager, the Witness reported on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Captain Vusi Mbatha confirmed the deployment at and around the farm, north of Melmoth.
Members of the local police station and members of the Public Order Policing Unit from Ulundi had been dispatched "to monitor the situation".
Their mission was to curb any possible "further attacks and revenge attacks", Mbatha said
Ken Eva, 47, was clubbed to death last Tuesday with sticks and knobkerries by an angry mob following a meeting with the community of Esibhonsweni.
This was believed to be the result of a land dispute between the farm management and the community of Esibhonsweni.
The farm management has claimed the community have illegally invaded some of the farm land, while the people believe the occupied land is communal property.
The deployment of more police also came in the wake of both parties making accusations and counter-accusations.
S'bahle Gumede, a leader of the community of Esibhonsweni, told The Witness she feared for her life after she received death threats from farm owner Mark Chennells last week.
"We all fear for our lives, we do not even sleep at our houses any more."
Chennells denied Gumede's claims, saying he had not spoken to Gumede since the killing.
- SAPA