Midlands Farm Murder: Calls to Prioritise Safety of Rural Communities

There are calls again for the KZN government in South Africa to prioritise the safety of rural communities following the murder this morning of the owner of an eatery in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands community.

UPDATE 9 June: Despite earlier reports that the attack happened at well known eatery Gunther’s, a close friend of the former owners of Gunther’s has informed SAPeople that the tragic incident took place at a separate spot called Eddie’s.

Nottingham Road Police Community Forum had posted a Ballid Security incident report on Saturday morning, 6 June, about a “farm attack” at Balgowan, in which it said the incident occurred “at ‘Gunther’s Sausages’ between 07h00 and 08h00 this morning”, and a KZN DA representative had posted a tribute to the former owner of Gunther’s… but this was inaccurate. So too were reports that the man’s partner ran to Michaelhouse School.

According to Gunther’s close friend, Eddie’s wife was able to trigger the alarm for Ballid Security from within the house, and then ran into hiding. Midlands EMS and the local police were called to the scene.

According to the DA uMgeni, the owner of the eatery was “brutally attacked” with a “panga” and “sadly he passed away as a result of his injuries”; while his partner escaped

“The South African Police Services (SAPS) in Nottingham Road have indicated that the assailants are still at large, with no arrest made at this stage, while the investigation remains ongoing.”

The eatery is on the Midlands Meander.

Tributes have poured in. Local DA councillor Sandile Mnikati said: “A life was lost to criminals in such a merciless manner and will leave a scar on our community for years to come.”

Tulbagh Murder and Arrest

Earlier this week, residents in Tulbagh in the Western Cape were shocked by the horrific murder of Dr Roelof Jacobus Petrus Botha (59) who was stabbed multiple times by what was thought to have been a panga… but the prime suspect – Aiden Abels (27) – has since revealed that he used sheep shearers.

Dr Botha was reportedly just 400 metres from his home, visiting a zebra camp, when he was killed.

The 27-year-old suspect has been arrested and confessed to the murder. He appeared in court alongside two other men (both 30) and a teenage girl (17) in connection with the killing, reported News24.

The three men will appear in court again on Tuesday 9 June.

Farm Attack in North West

According to Ian Cameron from AfriForum, there was another cruel farm attack in Reivilo in North West province. Cameron tweeted: “Elderly couple brutally attacked. Kettle filled with boiling water poured over male victim’s back. Suspects stole Nissan Xtrail, fled with other items. Female victim was able to get help, male vic found in bad shape tied up in shower.”

Limpopo farmer and President of World Farmers Organisation (WFO), as well as Chairman of Saai and Agri All Africa, Theo de Jager, has since tweeted that four suspects have been apprehended (although Cameron reported three suspects were arrested). De Jager said: “Photos of the mutilated elderly victims are too bloody for social media. Government needs to recognize that farm attacks is a problem of a special kind, and set up a special police unit.” (Cameron posted a photo of the female victim’s bloodied face.)

DA’s Suggested Interventions

Following the farm attack in the Midlands area today, Chris Pappas, DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, accused the provincial government of constantly brushing off the DA’s concerns and not doing enough to “stop future murders and attacks”.

Pappas says some of the interventions the DA has suggested (which have been ignored), incude:

– The direct subsidizing of security initiatives such as farm patrols and farm watches
– The utilisation of technology including CCtv cameras and drones to protect rural and hotspot areas
– The subsidizing of a citizen band radio network
– The introduction and support of rural policing units that work with local crime prevention initiatives and;
– The establishment of a Provincial rural safety directorate.

“The DA has notified the KZN Agriculture Portfolio Committee of this tragic murder and is awaiting a reply,” Pappas said in a press statement.

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