Claims of 109 Farm Attacks in South Africa in Less Than 100 Days of 2018
South Africa has already witnessed approximately 109 farm attacks and about 15 farm murders since the start of 2018, according to AfriForum. “Our rural areas are trapped in a crime war,” said Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Safety, in a media statement issued on Monday afternoon. “Although the South African government denies that a violence […]
South Africa has already witnessed approximately 109 farm attacks and about 15 farm murders since the start of 2018, according to AfriForum.
“Our rural areas are trapped in a crime war,” said Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Safety, in a media statement issued on Monday afternoon.
“Although the South African government denies that a violence crisis is staring rural areas in the face, the numbers prove that excessive violence plague these areas.”
Cameron added that torturing with irons, blow-torches, melted plastic and boiling water often continues for hours during these attacks. He also says that there is a significant increase in these types of attacks in the Northern and Western Cape.
“Government cannot deny the facts – our people are being mowed down,” Cameron claimed.
At a media conference in Pretoria on Monday morning AfriForum said its information is based on facts, contrary to the claim by Lindiwe Sisulu, the South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, who said last week that AfriForum was raising panic in the international community by spreading inaccurate information.
AfriForum said the threat is especially real for minority communities in general and for white farmers in particular; and that it will intensify its international campaign against farm murders and the disregard of property rights in South Africa.
AfriForum said that according to the latest available police statistics, more than 1 700 farm murders and more than 12 245 farm attacks occurred over a 21-year period.
“Bearing in mind that there are no figures for farm attacks for three of those years, it comes down to an average of 680 farm attacks and 94 farm murders per year. This is almost two farm attacks a day and two farm murders a week over a period of 18 years,” said the organisation.