It's farmers' fault that many farms are unsafe, ANC MPs said on Tuesday.
André Botha, chair of Agri SA's policy committee on rural safety, said during a presentation to the portfolio committee on police that the derogatory statements about white farmers made by government officials and senior politicians, is one of the biggest challenges.
Patrick Chauke, ANC MP, dismissed this.
"Political statements are the least of your worries. Organised agriculture knows all too well that they are the cause of the problems. The police try their best, but the solution lies with you," he said to Botha.
Chauke carried on to argue that farm workers are abused, and that illegal immigrants are "held prisoner" by farmers.
"Most of the cattle theft is committed by the farmers themselves. And they sell alcohol to the people who live on the farm."
Aggressive farmers
According to Sindi Chikunga, ANC MP and committee chair, there are many kind-hearted farmers.
"But it's also a fact that there are many violently aggressive farmers and you (Agri SA) should publicly condemn them."
Allegations were also made that farmers are reluctant to become police reservists and don't want to get involved with community policing forums and sector policing.
Botha, who is a police reservist, told Beeld afterwards that he was extremely unhappy about what happened during the meeting. He dismissed and denied the statement that farmers don't want to help the police to secure their farms.
Fully story
André Botha, chair of Agri SA's policy committee on rural safety, said during a presentation to the portfolio committee on police that the derogatory statements about white farmers made by government officials and senior politicians, is one of the biggest challenges.
Patrick Chauke, ANC MP, dismissed this.
"Political statements are the least of your worries. Organised agriculture knows all too well that they are the cause of the problems. The police try their best, but the solution lies with you," he said to Botha.
Chauke carried on to argue that farm workers are abused, and that illegal immigrants are "held prisoner" by farmers.
"Most of the cattle theft is committed by the farmers themselves. And they sell alcohol to the people who live on the farm."
Aggressive farmers
According to Sindi Chikunga, ANC MP and committee chair, there are many kind-hearted farmers.
"But it's also a fact that there are many violently aggressive farmers and you (Agri SA) should publicly condemn them."
Allegations were also made that farmers are reluctant to become police reservists and don't want to get involved with community policing forums and sector policing.
Botha, who is a police reservist, told Beeld afterwards that he was extremely unhappy about what happened during the meeting. He dismissed and denied the statement that farmers don't want to help the police to secure their farms.
Fully story
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