Aucamp wants priority status for farm crimes

By Lebone Rodah Mosima 

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp wants attacks on farmers and farm workers, stock theft and deliberate damage to agricultural infrastructure classified as priority crimes.

“I have already had discussions about this with the Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia. The Portfolio Chairperson on Police, Ian Cameron, and I are working on a rural safety plan. We need to make sure that the police and rapid response units are resourced adequately to bring the full force of the law to those who challenge the peace of farming communities,” he said at the Agri North West Congress at Buffelspoort on Thursday.

“These crimes should be treated as priority crimes against the economy and our food security,” Aucamp said.

ALSO READ: IFP calls for urgent PKTT probe after two candidates murdered in KZN

He said the agriculture sector could not grow if rural communities lived in fear.

South Africa’s current National