Farm murder: Where is KZN's Community Safety Bill?

THE brutal murder of an elderly Richmond farmer, his wife and son confirms the lack of proper rural policing in our province and reaffirms the urgent need for the KZN Community Safety Bill to be tabled and adopted.

The DA is deeply disturbed by this latest incident.  We offer our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.

An attack on a farmer and his family is an attack on every member of our province's rural community. 

These brutal attacks are proof that there is a severe lack of visible policing within rural areas. 

They are proof that there are not enough police stations in outlying areas and that, where they do exist, they are not properly resourced in terms of vehicles and other essentials. 

They are proof that law enforcement officers lack the training to deal with this scourge.

The KZN Community Safety Bill, submitted to the provincial legislature by the DA eight months ago, provides for oversight and implementation within local policing. 

Yet, it is gathering dust in the Office of the Speaker.

The MEC must explain why.  Certainly, we do not see him coming up with any other alternatives.

The DA expects MEC Mchunu to push for the introduction of this Bill without any further delay.

Statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu, MPP, DA KwaZulu-Natal leader, March 3 2014

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