The EFF’s criticism comes in the wake of a murder case on a farm between Welkom and Kroonstad, which has ignited public outrage. EFF MPL Malefane Bosanku Msimanga condemned what he described as a flawed and biased rural safety approach following the arrest of a retired doctor (80) and his grandson. 

The two are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice after human remains were discovered on their farm on 20 August. 

Residents had tipped off police, leading to the gruesome find.

“I’m bothered by our rural safety strategy. It continues to protect those who are owners of the farms as opposed to the vulnerable who happen to be farm workers and farm dwellers. 

“The recent example is the one of Kroonstad where EFF had to intervene decisively, for that matter, up until the person got arrested, where the 80-year-old doctor with his grandson buried one of our own. They buried him like a dog. Even when the evidence is now in public, police develop cold feet to arrest the suspect.”  

DNA samples were taken in an effort to confirm the identity of the deceased. Meanwhile, the retired doctor was granted bail of R15,000, and his grandson was released into the care of a guardian in line with the Child Justice Act during his first court appearance.

Msimanga said the incident highlights systemic issues within the rural safety framework. He argued law enforcement agencies fail to protect the most vulnerable and often appear more concerned with the interests of farm owners.

“This says a lot about the rural safety strategy across. Those who are vulnerable are less protected, and SAPS is not working in their interest to ensure that they are equally protected. This has to change.”

The accused (80) is expected to return to the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (7/10).

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OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi