Suspect Arrested After Woman Killed in Bethlehem Farm Attack, “Politicians Not Blameless”

A suspect has been apprehended following the reportedly brutal killing of a women during a farm attack outside Bethlehem in the Free State, South Africa, last night. The deceased was named by the Democratic Alliance (DA) as Mimie Frost.

The DA’s leader in the Free State, Dr Roy Jankielsohn, expressed condolences to Frost’s family, and accused politicians of not being blameless.

He said: “Politicians such as Ace Magashule, who this week questioned why white people are not targeted alongside foreigners during xenophobic attacks, must also take some responsibility for such acts of violence.”

Dr Jankielsohn also pointed out that “this brutal crime against a vulnerable woman is committed during a time that much focus has been placed on crimes against women and children in South Africa.”

Today the country buried two murdered students, both 19 – Uyinene Mrwetyana from the University of Cape Town and Jesse Hess from the University of the Western Cape. At Uyinene’s funeral today, her mother said in a speech: “I’m sorry I warned you about everything except the Post Office.”

According to Dr Jankielsohn the difference between attacks on a farm and elsewhere is that murder remains on average “very high during farm attacks” and the type of violence that accompanies farm attacks is also usually “more excessive” than in other cases.

Jankielsohn said it is “sad that politicians such as Magashule and Julius Malema constantly make comments that could be construed as incitement to commit racial violence in South Africa.”

According to Dr Jankielsohn, statistics indicate that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is not receiving the necessary support – including trained personnel and vehicles – to prevent these violent attacks on farms against farmers and their employees.

“The phasing out of the commandos left rural communities vulnerable, which is why the DA believes in introducing specialised rural safety units in the SAPS to protect people in rural areas, especially people residing on farms and smallholdings.

“Such units should receive specialised tactical training and weapons.”

The DA has submitted a “Community Policing Bill” in the Free State Legislature that will ensure greater cooperation between the SAPS and communities.

Don’t miss Carte Blanche on Sunday – the current affairs show will feature “Women Fight Back” about the thousands of women around the country who are mobilising and protesting against the scourge of rape and murder; as well as a segment on the rise of xenophobic attacks that have spread through the country. Watch the show overseas from Tues | Watch in SA on Sunday on DStv Now