No campaign to kill farmers: Police Minister

Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share

Cape Town - Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko has said the ANC and its government was committed to ensuring safety and security of all including those in the farming constituency. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, Nhleko said farm murders and attacks should be understood within the context of criminality. He said farm murders and attacks were a cause of concern but they should not be exaggerated to suggest that there was widespread political campaign to kill farmers. Nhleko said the SAPS crime statistics have been showing a decline in the incidents on the farms in recent years. He also said the ANC-led government continued to use rural crime strategy to ensure farm communities were safe and secure.

"We are proud of the efforts implemented to reduce crime. The SAPS rural crime strategy is beginning to yield results."

He said the police were working tirelessly to roll out the strategy in all rural-based police stations.

Nhleko condemned the reckless and inciteful statement made to illegally occupy farm, saying the rule of law must be respected.

"There is value making land a unifier than a threat to social cohesion," Nhleko said.

Also speaking during the debate, DA's said the centralisation of the SAPS crime stats undermined ability of police stations to respond to very specific needs of communities.

He said this caused the SAPS' failure to respond to the policing needs in farm communities

He also aid the inadequate vehicles deprived rapid response and patrolling in farming communities.

Political Bureau



