Farm Murders, Attacks on the Rise in South Africa

Farm murders and attacks in the country have gone up steeply. The number of farm murders increased to 74 in the last financial year, up from 58. While farm attacks rose to 638, up from 519.

Black Monday is a campaign to highlight violent crime against White farmers. 

Last week at the release of the crime statistics, there was a heated debate about revealing, or lack thereof, of farm murder stats. 

Dianne Kohler-Barnard of the Democratic Alliance says, “The farmers are under unprecedented attacks. Barely a day goes by without reports of yet another attack. This morning we hear another murder, this time at Klapmuts." 

Police claim that they are working with farmer organisations to strengthen security. 

The Police Minister, however, claims that some of the crimes were carried out by undocumented foreigners.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula says, “We are mapping out a fantastic strategy with them. We are working on working groups in terms of how we beef up their security where they come from and they are also spending their resources.”

According to Freedom Front Plus, farm murders have increased over the past three years. 

The party stated that there have been no less than 1700 farm murders over the past 21 years.