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By Zainul Dawood 
21h ago
Durban – PREMIER Sihle Zikalala said yesterday that the farm killings were an indication of deeply rooted and unresolved issues surrounding land ownership and land poverty, as well as the country’s racist past.
He made the statement in the wake of the murders last month of Glen and Vida Rafferty on their Normandy farm. Zikalala and Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi recently visited the agricultural area of Newcastle.
Zikalala said they wanted to find lasting solutions to tensions within the community.
A day after their visit, locals detained two men who were carrying what they suspected were stolen items.
Police spokesman Capt. Nqobile Gwala said two men entered a house on a farm in Hattingspruit. They stole cash, a cell phone, and a computer monitor.
“Local farmers saw the two men carrying the stolen property. They were arrested. The 21 and 25-year-old suspects were arrested. Hattingspruit Police are investigating a burglary and larceny case, ”Gwala said.
Zikalala said they met with the local farming community to get to the bottom of their concerns and challenges.
“The improvement of the police in the area is a priority. The police were accused of taking sides in their investigations. We would like to see farmers and farm residents working together to address the issue of access to basic services, ”said Zikalala.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, is organizing a Ministerial Imbizo for Rural Security in Normandien.
During a previous visit, Cele assured the community that he will return to the area to address some of their concerns through the National Rural Security Strategy which aims to seek a holistic approach to rural security that includes collaboration between the government, the private sector and civil society.
Daily News
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