Bloemfontein - The Free State needs a programme to highlight the importance of rural safety to society, Free State premier Ace Magashule said on Thursday.
He was delivering his 2013 state-of-the-province address in Bloemfontein.
The Free State premier said a provincial crime prevention summit would be held in March.
“It is vitally important for us to engage particularly the farming community in this summit to find solutions to prevent and stop farm attacks.”
Magashule said the brutal assault, abuse, rape and murder of elderly women and people, and people with disabilities in Free State communities was foreign to black and white cultures.
“It is our moral duty to uphold our value system to respect and protect all vulnerable groups in our society.”
Magashule said the province was also worried about the increasing problem of gangs, gang-related activities and drug abuse in the province.
Sapa