DURBAN - THE KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has called on the police and relevant authorities to focus on and commit to implementing the Rural Safety Plan.
Kwanalu was commenting after the murder of prominent Howick farmer Hedley James Brown this week.
Brown was found murdered outside his home on Monday.
The police said three firearms and a laptop were stolen from the home, and charges of murder and robbery were being investigated by the Howick police.
Kwanalu CEO Sandy la Marque said farmers were often targeted by criminals. “We are unable to discuss the details of the incident. However, it is notable that farmers are often targeted by criminals. It is therefore essential that the SAPS and relevant authorities are focused on, and committed to, implementing the Rural Safety Plan.
“Visible policing, patrols, arresting known criminals, application of the law and the upholding of order are critical. The impact on the agricultural sector is always significant when a murder takes place. Employment in many instances ceases immediately, the livelihoods of extended families are also affected, and production often stops.” She added that Kwanalu was very concerned that another incident had taken place in the Midlands area, and called on all stakeholders to work together and strengthen their efforts against criminality. “Law and order must prevail.”
UMngeni mayor Christopher Pappas also called for swift action from law enforcement in finding the perpetrators. “Our rural communities remain the most vulnerable. Far from police and security services, elderly rural citizens are often the targets of heinous crimes. I hope for swift action by the police, and for the SAPS to deploy more resources in our rural towns and villages to prevent future crime.”
He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Brown family.
In a statement, Greg Krumbock, the DA’s Mooi-uMngeni constituency head, and Elma Rabe, the DA KZN’s spokesperson on agriculture, said they were deeply saddened by the killing of the 70-year-old Brown.
“We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Brown.
“According to reports, his body was found lying outside the house, tied up, with assault wounds to the face and two stab wounds in the back.
“We call on the SAPS to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. We need to send a strong message to the perpetrators of these crimes.”
Krumbock added that Howick had become a hot spot for these heinous murders. “The DA has consistently been fighting for the farming community at a provincial and national level.
“In December 2020, through our representatives at the legislature, we wrote to 10 high-profile international human rights organisations to bring the plight of our farmers and farmworkers to their attention. ”
Ernst Roets, head: policy and action at AfriForum, said: “Punishing these perpetrators severely is a necessary step to convey to the community and family of the victims the message that justice has been served.
“It would also contribute towards deterring other criminals from plotting similar crimes.”
Roets added that farm murders affected society at large.
“Farms are the lifeblood of rural communities. When we lose our farmers, we also lose our rural communities,” he said.
THE MERCURY