The wave of farm murders experienced recently has triggered mounting concern within the agricultural community which is demanding immediate steps to stop it, the commercial farming body Agri SA said on Wednesday.
“I am frustrated that the horror crimes farmers are exposed to are not priority crimes for the government,” said Johannes Moller, president of Agri SA, in a statement.
Moller said farm murders must be addressed as one of the “focal points” if government was serious about its aims to turn agriculture into an area for job creation.
He specifically referred to attitudes, statements and conduct that was needed from political role players to build a community where lives, property rights and cultural heritage was respected.
Moller said everybody must make a contribution to make a success of South Africa’s diverse community.
He said the country should focus on a combined vision for the future rather than on aspects which were an example of the country’s divided past.
“For this reason I am disappointed that the ANC, in the midst of a series of farm murders, decided to join ANC Youth league president Julius Malema for the continued use of the lyrics, 'shoot the boer.
He was referring to the ruling party's application to join the High Court proceedings in Johannesburg where the use of the lyric will be contested.
Moller gave farmers the assurance that Agri SA would demand from government more action to stop farm murders. - Sapa