“Kwanalu is most disturbed and concerned by the callous murder of our nation’s farmers,” said the union’s security spokesman, Koos Marais.“Our major concern is the loss of our nation’s food producers which this country cannot afford.”
There have been nine farm murders in KZN this year and 48 incidents in 32 towns. In 2012, there were four murders and 44 attacks, and one murder and 37 attacks in 2011.
Knight was attacked at 6.30pm by four men at his home on the Bushman’s Nek road. His partner, Beth Bucher, was tied up and, according to reports, forced to watch as Knight was beaten to death with hammers and a wrench. Vehicles, cellphones, computer items and firearms were stolen.
Police responded swiftly and three suspects were arrested on the weekend and appeared in the Himeville magistrate’s court on 15 October.
In Vryheid, Weites was shot twice, once in the head and once in the heart, at 8.30am by three men who arrived on the farm asking to buy milk. Weites’ daughter Everlien (49) and his wife Gerrie (76) were brutally assaulted and forced to open a safe in their home. The assailants stole a bakkie and fled with the cash.
