JOHANNESBURG – Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has promised farmers that special police envoys and reservists will be deployed as a force multiplier during the festive season to respond to farm murders.
Speaking in a meeting with the leadership of the Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU), Mbalula said the police department will do everything in its power to promote peace and safety in farms and rural communities.
“We reiterate the spirit of the Freedom Charter that South Africa belongs to all those who live in it. Police need to create a conducive environment for farmers to produce and ensure food security for all our people,” he said.
Mbalula’s visit was largely sparked by on-going killings and protests by white farmers that they no longer feel safe in the farms.
On October 30 this year, white farmers mobilised themselves and took it to the streets to protest about the brutal killings and ill-treatment of some of their own, an event which they dubbed #BlackMonday.
TAU president Louis Meintjes also told Mbalula and members of the Visible Policing Unit present at the meeting that they condemn any form of violence in South Africa, adding that they need more police visibility on the farms.
Meintjes also said TAU was more than prepared to work shoulder to shoulder with the police in efforts to curb any form of crime in farms.
“We don’t need violence in SA. We need more police visibility on farms and we are willing to work with the police,” said Meintjes.
The Police Minister described the engagement as “fruitful”, and promised to put strategic measures to curb crime in farms and rural communities.
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