Farm murders rise — again

According to police crime statistics, the figures for farm attacks and murders increased drastically for the 2016-17 year. Farm murders increased by 27.5% and farm attacks by 22.9%; there were 74 farm murders (58 in 2015-16) and 638 farm attacks (519 in 2015-16).

After the police initially refused to disclose the crime statistics on farm attacks and murders, the full report was made available only after I insisted on it [as party leader]. The report revealed there were no fewer than 1,700 farm murders and 12,245 farm attacks from 1996-97 to 2016-17.

The figures for farm attacks have increased for three years running now and since 2014-15, there has been an increase of 28.3%.

Why the police would not want to disclose the report is unfathomable. It creates the impression that they want to conceal the drastic increase in farm attacks and murders. Farm murders are of importance because agriculture is the strategic industry that ensures food security.

The general figure for murder in SA is 34 per 100,000 of the population, but for farmers, it is about 130 per 100,000. Hence the emphasis on farm murders.

The Western Cape is vulnerable because 15 of the 34 police stations where the police rural safety strategy has not been implemented are located in the province. The recent increase in farm murders in the Western Cape can be ascribed to this.

Dr Pieter Groenewald

Leader, Freedom Front Plus