Farm attacks IFP

The IFP believes the government is not doing enough to tackle farm attacks in KZN. Photo: Unsplash

IFP says the government is partly to blame for farm attacks

A farmer, 70, was beaten and stabbed to death on Monday. The IFP says the government is not doing enough to stop the “spate” of farm attacks in KZN.

Farm attacks IFP

The IFP believes the government is not doing enough to tackle farm attacks in KZN. Photo: Unsplash

An elderly KwaZulu-Natal farmer, Hedley Brown, was killed on his farm near Howick this week. In the wake of the attack, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said the government was partly to blame for the spate of farm murders in the province.

KZN FARM ATTACKS

According to TimesLive, the 70-year-old farmer was found dead by an employee on Monday morning, 24 January. The deceased was beaten and stabbed to death.

The police said three firearms and a laptop were stolen from the farm and said Brown was stabbed twice in his back.

“The IFP believes that government is not doing enough to address farm attacks, despite having all the necessary resources at its disposal,” said the party in a statement on Thursday.

“According to the First Quarter 2021/22 SAPS Crime Statistics, attacks – including murder – on farms and small holdings increased by 47 incidents, when compared to the 2020/21 statistics.”

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)

The political party said the government has failed farmers and therefore it must be held accountable and it must discourage farm attacks by enforcing the law and handing down harsh sentences to offenders.

The IFP also wants farm attacks and farm murders to be prioritised as a separate crime category, as they require a “particular resolution.”

“The IFP calls upon government – and especially the police – to work towards ensuring the safety of people in the rural areas, by prioritising the protection of farm owners and employees.

“Government and the police must use all means at their disposal to prevent the situation from escalating,” said the party.

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