Should farm attacks be classified as a national crime? AfriForum’s urgent appeal written by RONELLE SNYDERS

AfriForum submitted an urgent request to the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, to classify farm attacks as a national priority crime in terms of section 17(d) of the South African Police Services Act.

The group argues that the increasing violence and organised nature of farm attacks justify the specialised skills and resources of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

In a letter sent to Masemola, Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, explained the legal justification for prioritising farm attacks.

“Farm attacks are not simply an isolated type of crime, but have far-reaching implications for both the immediate rural community and South Africa as a whole,” Broodryk said.

He pointed to the extreme violence, vulnerability of the victims and the potential political incitement associated with these crimes.

AfriForum also proposed that a dedicated Hawks task team be established to tackle rural and farm-related crime.

This team will coordinate with the South African Police Service (SAPS), rural safety units, farming associations and private security agencies. This will ensure accurate detection and analysis of farm attacks while investigating political incitement where necessary.

The presentation emphasises that farm attacks have a significant impact on the local economy, have serious implications for food security and have a significant psychological and social destabilising effect, leading to the depopulation of rural areas, job losses and ultimately economic decline.

“Farm attacks have serious implications for food security and a destabilising effect on rural communities,” Broodryk said.

“This leads to the depopulation of rural areas, job losses, and ultimately economic decline.”

The timing of AfriForum’s appeal comes in the midst of the first National Policing Summit of the SAPS, which Broodryk believes offers a critical opportunity for action.

“Farm attacks have been ignored by politicians and leaders in the SAPS for years, despite the fact that the SAPS has previously stated that farm attacks require a unique response. Now is the time to implement this response,” he said.

Ramaphosa’s recent remarks at the summit, where he said that citizens should feel safe in both urban and rural areas, further fuelled AfriForum’s call to prioritise farm attacks.

“Prioritising farm attacks is the only way to help achieve this goal for the rural community. It is time to stop politicking and take concrete steps in the interest of South Africa and its people,” Broodryk said.

SOURCE:Should farm attacks be classified as a national crime? AfriForum’s urgent appeal – Volkskraft News