{"id":1273,"date":"2019-07-11T08:17:42","date_gmt":"2019-07-11T08:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tlu.co.za\/?p=1273"},"modified":"2019-07-12T13:12:57","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T13:12:57","slug":"press-release-farm-attacks-rise-with-86-this-past-decade-tlu-sa-presents-bi-annual-agriculture-crime-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tlu.co.za\/en\/press-release-farm-attacks-rise-with-86-this-past-decade-tlu-sa-presents-bi-annual-agriculture-crime-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release: \tFarm attacks rise with 86% this past decade \u2013 TLU SA presents bi-annual agriculture crime statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"

TLU SA is extremely concerned over the rise in and brutality of farm attacks in South Africa, with an increase of 86% in the past decade.<\/p>\n

These statistics were announced today during the organisation\u2019s presentation on farm attacks and murders today.<\/p>\n

According to TLU SA\u2019s official Incidents Report updated since 1990, 1 125 farm attacks were reported between 1990 and 1999. Between 2000 and 2009 an increase of 25% – 1 407 attacks \u2013 were reported and in the past nine years from 2010 to 2019 a rise of 86% – 2 616 attacks \u2013 were reported.<\/p>\n

During the corresponding time, farm murders increased from 637 (1990 to 1999) with 25% (799 murders) between 2000 and 2009. In the next nine years until 2019 there were 586 farm murders.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese statistics are shocking. But for TLU SA these are not just statistics,\u201d said Maj-Genl Chris van Zyl, deputy general manager of TLU SA. \u201cIt is 2\u00a0022 members of our farming community murdered since 1990. It is 5\u00a0148 times families and farmworkers feared for their lives during a farm attack.<\/p>\n

“But still, it is not important enough for the government and President Cyril Ramaphosa to condemn this attack against farmers,\u201d he said. \u201cJust this year already there were various opportunities for the president to give farm attacks and murders the needed attention. The reasonable person can accept that he and in turn the ANC-government see these crimes as inferior and approves it.\u201d<\/p>\n

TLU SA is aware that crime across the country is out of control with 56 murders taking place every day. According to Dr. Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies, the past six years saw an increase of 17% in murders and more than 20 000 people murdered during 2017\/18.<\/p>\n

Dr. Burger today shed more light on the extent of crime in South Africa with a focus on the brutality of these crimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe high rates of aggression and purposeful torture in farm attacks and murders, is what separates these crimes from other violent crimes,\u201d said Maj-Genl Van Zyl. \u201cThere is a definite link to the land question. The agricultural sector should see safety as the most important common factor.\u201d<\/p>\n

In light thereof, it is important for the farming community to know when and how to act during a farm attack and what the consequence of the act would be. Dr. Llewellyn Curlewis, law expert from the University of Pretoria shared the reasonable person\u2019s behaviour relevant to the common law.<\/p>\n

According to Dr. Curlewis a person can say they acted out of self-defense to protect him\/herself, valuable property or another person, during a farm attack if certain requirements were adhered to.<\/p>\n

These requirements include that an attack was unlawful and aimed at protecting, as well as a real, immediate and imminent danger. It is important to note that the minimum amount of force should be used in such a situation.<\/p>\n

TLU SA recommends, in light of these statistics, that the following points receive attention during the next conversation with the National Commissioner of Police during August:<\/p>\n