Wave of crime hits agriculture industry during lockdown

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have expressed concern about the increase in theft of agricultural commodities during the lockdown period for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic, which is resulting in millions of rand in losses.

Tommie Esterhuyse, chairperson of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence for Rural Safety, told Farmer’s Weekly that there had been an increase in the theft of agricultural produce in particular, such as maize in the Free State, oranges in Limpopo, and grapes in the Western Cape.

He attributed this to a reduction in the movement of farm patrols, brought on by the lockdown, which “created a climate for crime to occur”.

“Bakkie loads of produce are being stolen, which gives us an indication that the theft is not due to hunger, but rather [for] trade,” said Esterhuyse. He estimated that the losses to the industry ran into millions of rand, adding that it placed additional pressure on producers during a difficult time in which they were faced with high input costs and low producer prices.

Mandla Mfenyana, a farmer near Port Elizabeth, recently lost 40% of his pumpkin crop due to theft. He said that although he always experienced petty theft on the farm, this was the first time that he had experienced it on such a large scale. He told Farmer’s Weekly that the wave of crime would definitely hold some financial implications for him, as he would have to employ guards to protect his produce.

Livestock theft also increased during the lockdown period, according to National Stock Theft Prevention Forum chairperson, Willie Clack.

“Livestock theft almost doubled in the areas of the northern Free State to the south of Gauteng.” He added that a particular increase in the theft of cattle had been observed, and that several incidents suggested the involvement of organised crime syndicates.

According to Chris van Zyl, assistant general manager of TAU SA, the ban on farm watch bodies to continue with community safety measures did not make sense. “It is in the national interest of South Africa that agricultural production is protected to maintain food security.”

TAU SA has drawn up a petition and South Africans are invited to support an appeal to government to re-activate farm watch bodies. – Jeandré van der Walt

• The petition can be viewed at tlu.co.za/en/farm-watch.