Rouxville farm attack victim stable

The surviving victim of the sixth farm attack to take place in the Free State in 2016, Cecelia Cilliers from Rouxville, was in a critical but stable condition in a Bloemfontein hospital, according to Tommie Esterhuize, Free State Agriculture (FSA) Safety and Security chairperson.

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Cilliers’ husband, Dr Bernard Cilliers (61), was killed during the attack on their farm on Friday, 29 January.

Two suspects were arrested over the weekend and were scheduled to appear in the Smithfield magistrate’s court on Monday, 1 February 2016.

“According to the SA Constitution everyone has the right to a safe environment, but it is not practically possible for the police to keep everyone safe at all times. We request farmers to also take responsibility for their own safety, to join safety structures and to actively take part in these structures,” said Esterhuize.

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FSA said it welcomed the announcement by the SAPS that farm attacks and murders would henceforth be considered as priority crimes.