TAU SA reported that Willem Skippie de Klerk was killed in Rustenburg in the North West on 3 January. Then, on 4 January, André du Preez of Ifafi, also in the North West, was murdered, as was Stick Green of KwaZulu-Natal’s Estcourt area.
TAU SA added that it had received a report of another farm murder on 4 January involving an as yet unknown victim in the North West’s Rietfontein area.
Preliminary statistics collected by TAU SA revealed that there were 65 murders in 273 farm attacks nationwide during 2014.
“The mere fact that available [farm murders/farm attacks] statistics do not reflect any declining tendency, seen against the background of declining numbers of commercial farmers, in fact reflect an increase of violent crimes on farms,” said Chris van Zyl, TAU SA’s assistant general manager: policy liaison.
“It could therefore be concluded that the Rural Safety Strategy of the SAPS, and the practical implementation thereof, is not showing positive results.”
Meanwhile, Kwanalu said it was “very, very disappointed” and concerned to learn of Green’s murder in the province despite the significantly increased policing over the festive season.
“We still find that self-enrichment through robbery is the main motivation for farm attacks and farm murders in KZN,” said Koos Marais of the Kwanalu security desk.
“It’s disappointing to learn that most farm attacks still occur as a result of poor security. We call on farmers to increase security around their homes. This homestead security must be on a par with those in city areas.”
