Farmers told to beef up security

Associations raise concerns after two murdered

Daily Dispatch

@Dispatch_DD

THE Farmers’ Association in Molteno and AfriForum in Tarkastad have urged farmers to increase security and form neighbourhood watches.

This follows the murder of an elderly female farmer in Tarkastad.

The association said there was a need for expert policing on farms and for neighbourhood watches to be formed, especially on farms owned by single or elderly women.

The 87-year-old farmer, Lettie Rupping, was found murdered along a road between Mbekweni and Oxton in Whittlesea on March 25.

Rupping’s murder comes less than a year after 40-year-old Lizelle le Roux was stabbed to death on her parents’ farm in Molteno.

It is believed Rupping was attacked and shot on her way back from church. Her vehicle was found deserted in Cradock and her bank cards were missing.

Three suspects were arrested last week.

Willie Liebenberg from Tarkastad AfriForum said this was shocking and unacceptable.

Liebenberg said residents needed to be more alert and proactive to counter the murder of farmers.

“Plans to form a neighbourhood watch are currently underway and almost complete,” said Liebenberg.

Mayburg Erasmus from the Farmers’ Association said female farmers and elderly farmers were most at risk. Erasmus said the murders developed from a series of lesser crimes such as stock theft and trespassing.

“If those crimes can be controlled and monitored then I believe there will be fewer or no murders.”

Erasmus said they also had plans to form a neighbourhood watch in the area.

“The perpetrators always target people who are vulnerable. I mean was there a need to kill a defenceless elderly woman?

“Farmers need to beef up their security and invest in security cameras,” Erasmus said.

Female farmer Nita de Wet said a more aggressive approach was needed to fight the killing of farmers.

De Wet said the farming community was outraged when they learnt about the murder of the elderly woman.

“As female farmers we should take up defence classes and shooting lessons for protection.”

According to the police some of the victim’s personal belongings, including a firearm and debit cards, were found on the suspects.

The three suspects appeared in the Tarkastad Magistrates Court last Friday, on charges of murder, house robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.

The case was postponed until April 7 and the suspects remain in police custody. —