The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal is shocked by the murder of a 73-year-old farmer who has been hacked to death in Vryheid, northern KwaZulu-Natal as the ‘Black Monday’ protest against farm murders continue in most cities in the country.
“We call on the police to ensure that these senseless killers are apprehended urgently. This is an indication that farms and rural areas are becoming constant targets for criminals.
We urgently appeal to the government and especially the police to acknowledge the safety of people in the rural areas, specifically the protection of farm owners and employees. Government and the police must immediately do everything in their power and to use all means at their disposal to prevent the situation from escalating,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Agriculture, Mr Nhlanhla Msimango, MPL.
“It is therefore essential that we ensure that farming communities can continue their activities given that farms play such an important role in the food security of our country. It is crucially important for government to prioritise the security of our farming community instead of sitting on its hands while the farming community is terrorised by criminals. We will all be worse off if the government continues to ignore this pressing problem,” concluded Mr Msimango.
The IFP further calls on the MEC of Agriculture, Themba Mthembu in the meantime to form a joint task team comprising members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and organised agriculture to develop a plan to improve security on farms.
Issued by:
Mr Nhlanhla Msimango MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development
078 302 4657