He says he is finding it increasingly difficult to tell farmers to remain calm in the face of escalating rural crime, specifically farm attacks. Möller is calling for clear strategies and effective crime intelligence, saying the levels of violence against farming communities can no longer be tolerated.

This comes after four people were left dead in seven separate attacks reported across the country over this past weekend. In the Free State, 53-year-old Hansie Raath and two children were killed on Raath’s family farm Blunort in the Vredefort area. One suspect has been arrested.

In Thabazimbi, Limpopo, the elderly Petru Rez died after being shot in the head. Her husband Bruno, survived a gunshot wound to the arm but he and another women spent hours locked in a safe with his deceased wife.

In Mpumulanga, Allen and Estelle Bullen were reportedly assaulted and tortured in an attack on Saturday night. According to The Lowvelder, Estelle was also burnt with an iron. Other attacks were also reported in Chrissiesmeer, Mpumulanga, and in KwaZulu-Natal.

Möller has meanwhile urged farming communities to also take responsibility for their own safety; fence and burglar proof homesteads; ensure good working relations and also safety of farm workers; cooperate with police; and organise themselves in farm watch systems.

Statement and OFM News