‘We sleep with guns under pillows’
“WE SLEEP with guns under our pillows and we walk around our farms with panic buttons. We are living in fear.”
Farmers from Killarney Isles near Camperdown are calling on the government to bring back the death penalty after a fellow farmer and businessman, Krishnad haven Govender, was killed during a robbery on his property.
During the early hours of Tuesday morning last week a gang of seven armed men stormed Govender’s house. The group ransacked the home and in the process opened fire on Govender, 50, in full view of his wife Joyce and two sons.
Although wounded, Govender managed to get hold of his own firearm and fired several shots at the men. They fled with R300 and two cellphones.
Govender died within minutes of the attack.
Govender’s family declined to comment when POST went to the house on Thursday.
Prior to attacking the Govender family, the gang attempted to break into his neighbour’s home, but fled after triggering an infrared beam.
The farmer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had been attacked on several occasions.
“We now have beams, electric fences, panic buttons and cameras around the farm to make sure we are safe. Before the men hit Krish’s home, they tried to break into my house, but an electrical beam went off, alerting Magma Security.”
He said the government needed to address farm attacks because they were spiralling out of control.
Fellow farmer Eugene Kalafatis said Govender’s death had made him question his own safety and that of his family.
“Look at my farm. I have an electric fence and vicious guard dogs.
“We sleep with guns under our pillows and we walk around our farms with panic buttons. We are living in fear and we cannot afford to let our guard down.”
He said thieves had stolen their electrical cables and operations on the farm had to shut down costing his business money.
Killed
“In 1993 my father Alex was killed on our farm. Back then they said it was racially motivated – between blacks and whites – but this was and still is a misconception in South Africa. The attack on Krish proves that this is not directed at one particular race.”
He said life meant nothing to these criminals.
“Krish was killed for R300 and two cellphones. Money and firearms are all that these men are after. Farmers need to come together and call on the justice system to bring back the death penalty,” said Kalafatis. “This is the only way we are going to reduce crime in the country.”
Another farmer, Hank Wheeler, said his property had been broken into into several times.
“My home was ransacked. They took my wife’s jewellery and even the meat in our fridge. It’s a group of men terrorising this community.”
Wheeler said farmers lived isolated lives. “We need more visible policing, especially at night. This will work as a deterrent for criminals and ensure our safety.”
Magma Security boss Shaheen Suleiman said a gang of men were terrorising the Cato Ridge area.
“We have had break-ins on these farms but nothing as serious as this (Govender’s murder) for a long time. We have intensified patrols in the area and are assisting the Govender family with the investigations,” he said.
Police spokeman Major Thulani Zwane said the incident was still under investigation and no arrests had been made.