A strong call has gone out to government to take decisive action to address farm murders in the face of an exodus of South African farmers.
Speaking during a debate in Parliament yesterday, Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow minister of state security, Dianne Kohler Barnard, said South African farmers had turned Zambia into one of the top food exporters on the continent.
In recent months, she added, close to 2000 South African farmers had left the country to farm in the USA.
“And where are we? From 120 000 commercial farmers, we are down to 38 000,” she said.
Farm attack numbers have risen significantly over the past few months, with 21 murders and 147 attacks in the past four months alone.
“Our Provincial Court Watching Briefs today ensure we are on top of every farm attack and at every court hearing. But we need a joint summit to work through the myriad rural security threats. We need clear short- and medium-term solutions, and the political will and drive to ensure their implementation. We need a long-term solution for an issue that looks set to drive our country to the brink of starvation,” she said.
