Afriforum has hit back at the police for saying the attack on Vogelvallei Farm was \u201cnot a farm attack\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas van Dalen, head of Afriforum\u2019s training division, said he strongly disagreed with Brigadier Donovan Heilbron\u2019s statement that the incident at Vogelvallei Farm on Friday 13 January (page 3, Hermanus Times<\/i>, 18 January 2023) was not a farm attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The owner of the farm was shot in the leg and one suspect was fatally wounded. The police arrested another suspect who has since appeared in the Caledon Magistrates\u2019 Court on charges of attempted murder and trespassing. An inquest relating to the one suspect\u2019s fatal shooting is also being investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the article Brigadier [Donovan] Heilbron and Colonel [Joe] Hartnick are quoted as denying this incident was ever a farm attack. I differ categorically from them in this,\u201d Van Dalen said. \u201cI am seriously concerned about the way in which this incident is being downplayed as a mere case of \u2018causing damage to infrastructure\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe SA Police Service\u2019s own National Rural Safety Strategy defines a farm attack as (I quote from the national safety strategy itself) \u2018an act of violence against a person or persons in the rural areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor the purpose of reporting, acts of violence against person(s) living in rural areas, including farms and smallholdings, refers to acts aimed at person(s) residing in, or working in or visiting rural areas, whether with the intent to murder, rape, rob or inflict bodily harm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn addition, all acts of violence against the infrastructure and property in the rural community, which is aimed at disrupting farming or other commercial concerns, irrespective of whether the motives are related to the commission of other crimes, ideology, land disputes, land issues, revenge, grievances, racist concerns or intimidation, are included in this definition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCases related to domestic violence or liquor abuse, or resulting from commonplace social interaction between people, are excluded from the definition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the article Brigadier Heilbron is quoted as saying this action cannot be viewed as a farm attack because the intent of the perpetrator was seemingly \u2018only\u2019 to cause harm to infrastructure, and not to rob, injure, rape or murder residents. How does this modus operandi not<\/i> fit into the definition quoted above?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Dalen expressed concern that the gravity or importance of the incident was being downplayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs this another attempt to deny the fact that our farmers, and the country\u2019s food security, are under attack? Are the police now attempting to suppress the reporting of farm attacks to support the President\u2019s statement to the international community that farm attacks in South Africa don\u2019t exist? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would like to know how it is at all possible for two senior police officers to misinterpret the quoted definition as per their own strategy document?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Heilbron, Overberg Cluster Commander, and Colonel Joe Hartnick, head of detectives at Caledon Police Station, reiterated their stance that the incident was not a farm attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvidence found on the scene and preliminary investigations indicate the farm owners were not targeted with the aim of robbery, rape or murder,\u201d Hartnick stated. \u201cTherefore it is not deemed a farm attack, even though the incident occurred on a farm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is no charge of a farm attack. It is usually classified as a house robbery, business robbery or armed robbery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this case the charges are trespassing and attempted murder. The investigation continues and currently serves before the court.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Afriforum has hit back at the police for saying the attack on Vogelvallei Farm was \u201cnot a farm 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