THREE ARRESTED FOR FARM MURDER

The swift action of the farming community and investigating officers of Lichtenburg led to the speedy arrest of three suspects in the murder of André van der Merwe, a farmer of Ottosdal, this weekend. The suspects were refused bail and the case was postponed to 10 May 2011.

André Botha, chairman of Agri SA's Rural Safety Committee, says "murderers such as these are savages who, with hatred and brutality, target and murder innocent farmers. The manner in which Van der Merwe's body was dragged behind a vehicle and maimed, underscores the brutality of these people. He asked what had become of human compassion in South Africa when society tolerates murderers such as these within their own ranks. The time has come for these people to be removed permanently from society".

According to information, the Ottosdal police who visited the scene acted unprofessionally, displaying an attitude of indifference. Incidents previously reported by farmers at the police station had apparently seldom been properly investigated and solved. Agri SA demands that the actions of the police after the murder be investigated, including their ability to provide the entire Ottosdal community with a professional service.

"Statements issued by political leaders, such as those recently made by Julius Malema, namely that farmers should give up their land so that they would no longer be attacked, are extremely irresponsible and create a climate among the uninformed masses that brutal attacks on commercial farmers are justified. These statements are irresponsible and must be rejected with contempt. Agri SA expects the government to take steps against the people responsible for these statements," says Botha.

The government relies on the agricultural sector to create jobs and to stimulate the rural economy. "If a safer rural environment cannot be assured now, we will be unable to achieve these ideals, to the further detriment of all who make a living here. The speedy implementation of the Rural Protection Strategy, backed by the necessary resources, must now become a priority for the police," concluded Botha.

Statement issued by André Botha, Chair, Agri SA Rural Safety Committee, May 4 2011

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