Foreign intervention is now needed in SA Farm Murders

The farming community was again shaken by a number of attacks and murders on South African farms.

In the Northwest, the 46-year-old Mrs. Ronel van Eck was shot at the gate of the farm after she took her son to school. That boy will have to continue with his life without a mother.

An elderly farmer, the 70-year-old Mr. Charles Owen, near Jansenville was murdered on his farm, while his wife's birthday was celebrated.

In Ladybrand in the Free State an American farm manager, Mr. Allen Rodgers, was shot during an attack on the farm Geluk. Although he is currently in a stable condition, he was seriously injured after three terrorists attacked him with machetes.

"TAU SA is going to call on the U.S. ambassador to South Africa to put pressure on the South African government to address the farm attacks," said TAU SA's Deputy President and Chairman of the union's safety committee Mr. Henry Geldenhuys.

"TAU SA has made good progress in informing the international community on the nature and extent of farm attacks and farm murders in South Africa," said Mr. Geldenhuys." This campaign will continue, and as there has been an attack on a farm that is part of an American farming company and an American citizen almost became part of the mortality statistics, it is essential to approach the U.S. ambassador to ask him to support TAU SA in its fight against farm murders. If necessary the Americans and other international institutions will be asked to consider personal sanctions against Pres.Jacob Zuma and his cabinet members," said Mr. Geldenhuys.

"Our pleas to the government are falling on deaf ears. Maybe they'll start listening when the major powers begin to thicken their voice. This is what TAU SA hopes to achieve from a conversation with the American ambassador.

Statement issued by Henry Geldenhuys TAU SA Deputy President and Chairman of the union's safety committee, August 14 2012

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