Only six M’langa abuse cases reopened

Only six of more than 100 cases will be re-opened against farmers accused of abusing their workers in Mpumalanga’s southern Highveld area. According to Advocate George Baloyi of the National Prosecuting Authority, all six cases are from the Piet Retief area. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Superintendent Sibongile Nkosi said police had re-investigated more than 100 cases following concerns that farmers were let off the hook because they had a cosy relationship with local police, prosecutors and magistrates. Provincial police commissioner Afrika Khumalo ordered that the cases, mainly in the Wakkerstroom area, be re-investigated. The Landless People’s Movement had lobbied police and government to overhaul the justice system in where farmers, who were also members of the commando system, were implicated in crimes ranging from murder to assault. The situation prompted the international watchdog Human Rights Watch to investigate and led to government’s decision to dismantle the commando system nationally. – African Eye News Service