Racist farmers must be reined in

Whatever led to the death of Coligny teenager Matlhomola Mosweu, the unrest that came afterwards was always bound to happen.

There have been many incidents that show that some of the white farmers will never change. From dragging workers behind speeding bakkies, feeding workers to lions, stuffing people into coffins and a lot more, they have done it all.

I came across an online discussion forum where people were discussing Julius Malema’s comments that some white people would rather have medical aid for a dog than for a domestic helper. Shockingly, most white people said dogs are part of the family and a domestic worker is an employee. This boils down to labour unions and government not wanting to be involved in matters involving farms.

Driving on the N3 in Free State, I’ve almost lost count how many times I have seen a white farmer driving a bakkie and the dog sitting next to him, with the poor labourer sitting at the back exposed to the elements.

As long as we have such racists in our country, the so-called Rainbow Nation will remain pie in the sky. At times, I tend to wonder why government doesn’t want to get involved. Labour unions occasionally have haphazard gatherings and promise to deal with troublesome farmers. That usually occurs after a brutal incident involving a particular farmer but that soon dissipates. Some farm workers have yet to taste the new South Africa.

It’s time government took the fight to unruly and racist farmers. Things can’t go on like this.

Richardson Mzaidume, Pimville