Normandy farmers doubt Cele’s visit will help ease racial tensions in the area

DURBAN – Farmers in Normandy, north of KwaZulu-Natal, said they had doubts that Police Minister Bheki Cele’s visit to the area on Monday would help ease racial tensions in the area.

This comes after a heated community gathering in which farmers were primarily accused of racism and violence, while farm dwellers and workers were alleged to have stolen livestock and overgrazed farmers’ properties.

Cele had called the meeting to ease tensions between community members following the murder of an important couple of local farmers last month.

However, it left many farmers feeling offended after publicly criticizing the president of the Normandy Farmers Association, Ronald Collier.

After several farm residents spoke about alleged abuse at the hands of farmers, Collier denounced the claims and asked Cele if he would keep quiet if his property was stolen.

#Assassinations Lucky Shabalala, a resident of a local farm, has expressed concern about Cele’s visit after the murders of farmers. He says the minister has not previously come to the area after the murders of the farm dwellers. @NkoRaphael pic.twitter.com/ikc31rJ7p2

– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) September 21, 2020

The minister disagreed with the question, accusing Collier of arrogance, much to the delight of local farm dwellers.

Darrel Brown, a local farmer, said the incident was regrettable.

“The fact that the minister had some harsh words for the president, I think, put a different spin on the meeting and I think that, if anything, that supports fueling racial tensions because Mr. Collier works very well with the community and it’s just a huge shame that they reprimanded him the way he was. “

There is consensus among community members that surveillance is poor in the area.

Cele said an inspection team had been deployed within the police to study community problems and produce a report within the next 14 days.

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