NATIONAL NEWS - The biannual figures on farm attacks and murders have been released by TAU SA today.

According to their statistics, 30 people were murdered on farms during the first six months of this year. This is the same number of murders which occurred during the corresponding period in 2013.

In May, Louis van Wyk, cousin of TAU SA President Louis Meintjes, was also murdered during a brutal attack on his farm near Brits in May.

Commenting on the figures, Deputy President of TAU SA and Chairman of the Security Committee, Henry Geldenhuys said: "What is worrying, is that the number of farm attacks increased from 106 last year to 124 this year. It is clear that the number of attacks are increasing.

"The fact that the level of fatalities did not increase accordingly, is most likely due to greater awareness among farmers as well as the fact that TAU SA's rural safety plan is being implemented, thus increasing the safety and security footprint."

In the light of the latest figures TAU SA welcomed the Human Rights Commission's (HRC) announcement that it would undertake an investigation into farm murders, he said.

"For many years we have called upon government to initiate a proper investigation into farm murders and in particular the motives behind them. For some time now, we have been asking questions about the true motive behind some murders, especially where people have been tortured and murdered without any significant indications of theft.

"The military precision with which some of the attacks were planned and executed also raise serious questions about who are behind it," said Geldenhuys.

TAU SA will also make a submission to the HRC as part of its national campaign against farm attacks. Meanwhile TAU SA's international awareness campaign will continue.

"The fact that the HRC is going to investigate the matter sadly does not mean that active steps will be taken. That is why we are going to continue with the application of pressure. There is still a long way to go before we expect the government to indicate whether it is willing or able to change the situation," said Geldenhuys.

"However, we are concerned that the HRC's investigation into farm attacks may be overshadowed by a concurrent investigation into employment conditions on farms. The two issues should be investigated separately and separate conclusions should be made."

On 7 July, another farmer, the 55-year-old Rudolph Pretorius, a member of TAU SA, was murdered on his farm Bloempoort, Groblersdal.

Source: Agri Portal