Black empowerment projects in agriculture could be jeopardised if the government does not ensure farmers’ safety, said AgriSA in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Responding to attacks on farmers in the Cullinan and Frankfort over the weekend, AgriSA president Lourie Bosman said in a statement it is cause for concern that an increasing number of incidents are reported where the attackers wore police uniforms.
”In Cullinan, a couple were shot and killed in cold blood inside their home, and according to reports nothing is missing from the house. The Botha family of the farm Riverside in Frankfort was attacked by four people, one of whom was apparently in police uniform,” said Bosman.
AgriSA has called on its members to impose the Protocol for Access to Farms, which was agreed upon with the security forces.
According to the protocol, anybody visiting the farm has to make an appointment.
This, he said, also applies to police officers, who will be required to show a valid certificate of appointment.
”Maintaining rural safety is a responsibility which the state will have to address in earnest so that the agricultural sector can develop to its full potential to the benefit of all in South Africa,” he said. — Sapa