Claims that Farm Attacks are Increasing in the Western Cape

Three farm attacks took place in the Western Cape last weekend (Fri 23 to Mon 26 Nov), in the Porterville, Paarl and Wellington regions, according to AfriForum.

Apparently, in the case of the Porterville attack, there had been ominous messages spray-painted on the door of the farmhouse six weeks beforehand. The messages allegedly said: ‘Kill the Boer’, ‘Viva Juju’ and ‘Viva EFF’.

AfriForum says that fuel was poured over one the family members while another one was sexually assaulted.

“Farm attacks in the Western Cape are busy increasing – we are already aware of seven such attacks in the Western Cape that occurred in November 2018, but luckily no murders were committed,” says Johandré van Zyl, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety for the Southern Region.

He said AfriForum is working across the country to assist and support communities to organise themselves “within the framework of the law”.

“We encourage people – especially those living in desolated and rural regions – to take responsibility for their own safety and to accomplish this by establishing farm watches.

“We are moving closer to the festive season and would like to make a plea to people to sharpen their readiness during this time,” he advised.