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Civil rights organisation AfriForum has welcomed the announcement by Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko yesterday in Parliament that farm murders should be prioritised. Minister Nhleko said in response to a parliamentary question by the Freedom Front Plus that farm attacks and farm murders should be prioritised by Government.

On 26 June 2014 AfriForum submitted a petition with the names of 60 000 South Africans to the Office of the Minister of Police with a report containing case studies reflecting the brutality of farm murders. 

The Ministry gave the undertaking that they will study the report and that a follow-up meeting with Minister Nhleko could be scheduled. “AfriForum believes in constructive solutions. The only sustainable solution is cooperation between civil society and the Police. Our more than 130 branch structures across the country are busy establishing safety initiatives. We are executing all activities in cooperation with the Police, and we want to find a solution together for the safeguarding of our country’s food producers and their workers,” Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum said.

“It’s the most welcome news that Minister Nhleko acknowledges that farm murders are a crisis that needs urgent intervention by the SAPS. A focused strategy will be the right start to a sustainable solution.” 

The South African Human Rights Commission earlier this month confirmed to AfriForum, that they will hold a public trial about farm murders in the country, as a result of a formal request submitted by the civil rights group.