This statistic is contained in the second edition of Treurgrond: Die realiteit van plaasaanvalle, 1990-2012, released recently. Dr Dirk Hermann, deputy general secretary of Solidarity and one of the compilers of the book, said at the launch near Rayton in Gauteng that although nothing could be done to rectify the past, “a lot could be done for the future”. This updated edition contains 700 more attacks than the first, thanks to research by TAU SA. The book was compiled by Hermann, Chris van Zyl of TAU SA and Ilze Nieuwoudt of Kraal Uitgewers.
“The goal is to create awareness,” Hermann said. He added that since the attacks were not registered by the SAPS as a separate crime category, Treurgrond was the most complete and reliable database available since 1990. Over this period, more than 3 319 attacks had occurred, with no fewer than 5 818 direct victims and at least 1 600 murders. Gauteng accounted for 19,8% of the total number, while the Northern Cape accounted for just 1,6%. These figures did not take the total population of the separate provinces into account.
“I am number 2 927,” said Louis Meintjes, president of TAU SA. Meintjes and his wife, Erika, were attacked on 21 December 2009 on their small holding near Boekenhoutkloof. The two attackers shot at Meintjes, but he shot back and they fled. Hermann said there were plans to translate the book to English. “We’ve had great success with the English version of the first edition, especially overseas
