TLU SA hopes that the decline in farm attacks and farm murders during January 2020, in comparison to statistics of a year ago, will continue for the rest of the year.
January saw 20 registered attacks and no incidents of murder on farms, according to TLU SA’s official Incidents Register, which has been kept up to date since 1990. In comparison, 35 farm attacks and six farm murders were reported during the first month of 2019.
When comparing the registered incidents (attacks and murders) for January since 2015, we see the following:
2015: 23 farm attacks and 8 murders;
2016: 30 farm attacks and 9 murders;
2017: 26 farm attacks and 4 murders;
2018: 39 farm attacks and 5 murders;
2019: 35 farm attacks and 6 murders;
2020 : 20 farm attacks and no murders.
“Based on this register, we trust that the slightly more favourable situation will continue for the rest of the year,” says Maj-Genl Chris van Zyl, deputy general manager of TLU SA. “The positive trend can probably be attributed to a bigger safety and security awareness under farm and smallholding residents, as well as the quick reaction by neighbours and farm patrols. However, the continuing trend of almost one attack per day – of which we are aware of – is still unacceptably high.”
TLU SA is worried that farm attacks and murders are on the rise instead of declining when looking at the bigger picture comparing the total amount of incidents of 2019 to those of 2018.
“The data of 2019 in comparison with the data from 2018 still show a rise in both the number of registered attacks – 419 to 394 – and the number of murders – 56 to 54,” says Maj-Genl Van Zyl. “In light of this TLU SA is still calling on the government to pay more attention to the prevalence of attacks and other crime on farms.”
TLU SA recommends that the following points receive attention during meetings with the National Commissioner of Police:
- An agriculture-friendly reservist system;
- The local integration of available resources;
- The reconfirmation of farm attacks and murders as priority crimes;
- That farm safety, which affects profitability and sustainability, instead of only farm attacks, will enjoy National Priority status.
The farming community should further focus on using technology, communication and information; and the use of contingency plans as implemented by TLU SA already.
TLU SA hoop dat die afname in plaasaanvalle en -moorde gedurende Januarie 2020, in vergelyking met die statistiek van ‘n jaar gelede, vir die res van die jaar sal voortduur.
Volgens TLU SA se amptelike Insidente Register wat sedert 1990 bygehou word, was daar in Januarie 20 geregistreerde aanvalle en geen moorde nie. In Januarie 2019 is 35 plaasaanvalle en 6 plaasmoorde gedurende die eerste maand van die jaar aangeteken.
Wanneer die geregistreerde insidente (aanvalle en moorde) slegs vir Januarie sedert 2015 vergelyk word, lyk die prentjie as volg:
2015 : 23 plaasaanvalle en 8 moorde;
2016 : 30 plaasaanvalle en 9 moorde;
2017 : 26 plaasaanvalle en 4 moorde;
2018 : 39 plaasaanvalle en 5 moorde;
2019 : 35 plaasaanvalle en 6 moorde;
2020 : 20 plaasaanvalle en geen moorde.
“Gebaseer op hierdie register, word dit vertrou dat die effens gunstiger situasie vir die res van die jaar sal voortduur,” sê Genl.-Maj. Chris van Zyl, die adjunk-hoofbestuurder van TLU SA. “Die positiewe neiging kan na alle waarskynlikheid toegeskryf word aan ‘n groter sekerheids- en veiligheidsbewustheid onder plaas- en hoewebewoners asook flinke reaksie deur bure en plaaswagte. Nogtans is die volgehoue tendens van bykans een aanval per dag – waarvan ons bewus is – steeds onaanvaarbaar hoog.”
Wanneer die totale insidente van 2019 met dié van 2018 vergelyk word, is TLU SA ook bekommerd dat plaasaanvalle en -moorde eerder toegeneem as afgeneem het.
“Die data van 2019 in vergelyking met 2018 toon steeds stygings ten opsigte van beide die getal geregistreerde aanvalle – 419 teenoor 394 – sowel as die getal moorde – 56 teenoor 54, “sê Genl.-Maj. Van Zyl. “In die lig hiervan doen TLU SA steeds ‘n beroep op die regering om meer aandag te skenk aan die voorkoms van aanvalle, asook ander misdade op plase.”
TLU SA beveel aan dat gesprekke met die Nasionale Kommissaris van die Polisie fokus op die volgende sake:
- ‘n Landbouvriendelike reservistestelsel;
- Die plaaslike integrasie van beskikbare bronne;
- Die herbevestiging van plaasaanvalle en -moorde as prioriteitsmisdade;
- Dat Landbouveiligheid wat winsgewendheid en volhoubaarheid beïnvloed, in plaas van slegs plaasaanvalle, voortaan Nasionale Prioriteitstatus sal geniet.
Verder moet die landbougemeenskap fokus op die benutting van tegnologie, kommunikasie en inligting; en die opstel en implementering van gebeurlikheidsplanne soos wat TLU SA reeds doen.
