The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) condemns Friday evening’s (6 March) violent attack on two elderly Dutch tourists at a guest farm approximately 15 km east of Swellendam along the N2 in the direction of Riversdale.
According to initial police reports, this is the second incident in the broader Southern Cape region within a week. In both cases, three armed men reportedly followed a similar modus operandi.
This incident is extremely disturbing, as it not only targeted vulnerable elderly persons, but also international visitors to South Africa. In addition to undermining the safety of local communities, such attacks also threaten the region’s reputation as a safe tourism destination.
The Freedom Front Plus expresses its sincere appreciation for the Goukou farm watch, the police and other community role players’ swift and effective response to the attack. Their successful collaboration once again demonstrates the value of community safety structures working hand in hand with law-enforcement agencies.
The Freedom Front Plus expresses sympathy to the victims and wishes them a speedy recovery. Violence aimed at vulnerable individuals should under no circumstances be tolerated.
The party calls on the police and other authorities to do everything in their power to swiftly apprehend the suspects and bring them to book.
The Freedom Front Plus urges the Southern Cape community to join forces against crime, and to immediately report any useful information to the nearest police station or the police’s crime line.
Community collaboration remains one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against crime and is crucial in ensuring our towns and rural areas’ safety.
