The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on government, especially the Minister of Police, Minister of Agriculture and the KZN Provincial Government, to urgently call a rural safety summit similar to that one called by Dr Nelson Mandela in 1998, after an Estcourt farmer Malcolm “Stick” Green was gunned down on his farm.
“The present government has lost sight of the outcome of the rural safety summit called by former President Dr Nelson Mandela in 1998 which was aimed at bringing together all the role players to find a common strategy to step up the fight against crime, especially violent crime in all farming communities. Farm murders and attacks should be recognised for the national crisis that it is and therefore deserving of priority status and focused attention. It is not enough for Ministers and MECs to visit bereaved families after a killing and make empty promises. A workable strategy is needed to ensure the safety of our farming communities,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala, MPL.
“The IFP is under the impression that the current government is not taking the disastrous enigma of farmers under siege seriously enough and it is making the farmer the outcast instead of the food provider to the nation. It is obvious that the government no longer considers the ongoing attacks on farms and the murder of persons involved in farming as a priority. If this situation continues it will have a very negative impact on the economy and South Africa`s food security. It is crucially important for government to prioritise the security of our farming community and to resume the monitoring and reporting of these attacks and murders,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP further calls for the re-introduction of the rural protection plan which was introduced by the former Minister of Police, Sydney Mufamadi in 1997 which comprised nationwide structures that coordinated the activities of the police and army, seeking to ensure effective cooperation among all relevant parties, but in particular the SAPS, SANDF and organized agriculture.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
For Media Enquiries:
IFP KZN Provincial Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Mr Phendulani Biyase, 073 024 5675
