The latest farm attack on an elderly woman from Verkykerskop in the Free State once again emphasises the absolute necessity for more effective rural safety, effective local safety networks and good cooperation with the police.
Jan van Niekerk, FF Plus provincial leader in the Free State, was at the scene after safety networks had received a call for help.
Two of the three attackers were apprehended by farmers in cooperation with the police who had responded to the attack.
The FF Plus welcomes the speedy response by farmers who came from quite far away with two private aircraft and a privately owned helicopter. A police helicopter was also used. The FF Plus commends the good cooperation between the police and the farmers' safety network.
Rural communities are vulnerable and, in some cases, people have to wait for hours for help to arrive from more urban areas. Thus, the FF Plus is encouraging all farmers to join their local community safety networks for speedy response and assistance in times of need. In the fight for rural safety, farmers should not rely only on themselves.
The FF Plus is serious about farm attacks and will continue to put pressure on the government to declare farm attacks a priority crime.
The FF Plus expresses its deepest condolences to the victim and her friends and family for the trauma they had to go through and wishes the victim a speedy recovery. The party will do what it can to make sure that the third suspect is apprehended, that all three suspects are duly prosecuted and that justice is served.
Contact details: 084 206 3375
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