Farm murder hartswater

Photo: Supplied

‘My parents’ lives mattered’: Daughter of farm murder family blasts ANC

The Hartswater farm murder has grabbed the nation’s attention. But the daughter of Danie and Breggie Brand wants the government to stop their silence.

Farm murder hartswater

Photo: Supplied

The youngest daughter of Danie and Breggie Brand has spoken about her anguish, after her parents were targeted during a farm murder on Sunday. Her sister Elzabe was also killed and all three victims were abducted from their homestead in Hartswater, Northern Cape.

‘Their lives mattered’ – Brand family daughter slams govt silence

The bodies were found on Monday and Tuesday, leaving Heidie Taljaard to deal with the death of her three immediate family members. In comments made to EWN, Taljaard directed her anger towards the government, who she blasted for ‘failing to protect’ the rural community by remaining silent on the issue.

“My family were the kind of people who would do anything for us. So we want the people that are supposed to protect us to take a stand, because if you keep quiet then you are condoning it. Surely there is something wrong in our society… My parents’ and my sister’s lives mattered to me.”

Heidie Taljaard

Hartswater farm murder: Who are the suspects?

Ahead of the impending court case, we’ve put together a list of all the crucial developments so far:

  • Five suspects are expected to appear at the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
  • Two of the suspects are teenagers, aged 18 and 19. The others are aged 20, 36, and 42 respectively.
  • Four of the group were arrested on Monday, with the fifth and final person-of-interest apprehended 24 hours later.
  • They will all face charges of murder, kidnapping, and robbery when they appear in the dock.
  • Maroela Media reports that some of the accused have already confessed to the killings.

Cyril Ramaphosa on farm murders

President Ramaphosa has copped a lot of heat from farming groups, as he continues to stall on a response to farm murders. These crimes may only account for a fraction of South Africa’s murder rate, but they are happening all too often, and usually occur with an alarming level of brutality.

The DA has been pushing for an urgent Parliamentary discussion on the matter for most of the year.