CAPE TOWN - Cosatu has revealed that the farming sector lawlessness enables farmers to hire foreign people and pay them humiliating salaries.
In an interview with Business Report, Cosatu spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, maintained that farmers must stop treating farm workers as glorified slaves.
When asked about the impact the farmers' killings might have on the labour market, Pamla said business owners all over the country are victims of crime, therefore it shouldn't be matter of high priority when it affects farmers.
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Pamla's remarks follow several killings of farmers attacked at their farms, with a high number reported in KwaZulu Natal. Farm attacks come at a time farmers are facing drought and country's economy not working in their favour.
According to Agri SA group, the Agri Securitas Trust Fund plays an important role in safeguarding farmers. "In practice, the trust fund makes equipment such as communication networks, camera systems, crime-fighting equipment, available to communities. This fund is also involved in providing trauma counselling where communities require it".
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Agri SA President, Dan Kriek, said, "I am fully aware of the emotional stress experienced within farming communities and that Agri SA and its provincial organisations will continue to seek solutions to stop the violent onslaught waged against our farming communities."
Police Minister, Fikile Mbaluwa has asked for farmers' cooperation in efforts of trying to protect them. Adding that farmers are key role players in countries economy.
The KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism under the leadership of MEC Sihle Zikalalathe has recently launched Rural Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation - a programme sought to improve the participation by small scale farmers from historically underprivileged communities in the lucrative food production value chain.
- BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE