Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL
The DA in the Free State is concerned by the alleged police misconduct and brutality that took place on 31 July 2023 in Verkeerdevlei. The DA has written to the Free State Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) requesting that they launch an investigation into alleged abuse of power, excessive use of force, intimidation and abuse of resources.
Rural crime, including stock theft, remains a serious concern in the province that costs the agricultural sector in the Free State about one billion rand a year in losses. Farmers and farm workers remain vulnerable to farm attacks.
The SAPS often cite lack of personnel and vehicles as a reason for not being able to fight rural crimes, many of which take place on farms against farmers and their employees. The MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport indicated in the Free State Legislature that 222 farm attacks and 54 farm murders took place between March 2019 and 31 May 2023 in the province.
The sudden appearance of large numbers of police vehicles and personnel to arrest two women in Verkeerdevlei begs the question whether the SAPS have become instruments of EFF racial campaigning against white farmers.
The DA remains the only party with a comprehensive Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and Rural Safety Policies, which will be implemented if elected to government and outlines the party’s plan to fight crimes in rural areas across South Africa.