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JOHANNESBURG – A high-powered government delegation led by Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala met with farm owners and locals to quell mounting tensions in Newcastle.
A few weeks ago, the brutal murder of the Normandy couple, Glen and Vida Rafferty sparked outrage.
An emotional gathering aimed at finding lasting solutions to the tensions in Newcastle.
Residents in the area say the government prioritizes and protects white South Africans at the expense of blacks.
READ: Zikalala meets with farmers for murders on farms
Farmers ask for better relationships.
“There are so many people who have been killed, black and white on farms and the government has turned a blind eye to it,” Mort Mortassagne, a commercial farmer.
“This is basically one of the few times the government has come to the show and we can only hope and pray that something happens.”
Zikalala says that improving surveillance is key to resolving current tensions between farmers and residents.
READ: Cele to visit KZN after farm killings
Agricultural authorities in the province say stability in the sector is crucial.
“We need peace in KwaZulu-Natal, we need stability in KwaZulu-Natal, we need social cohesion and we need to work together and also to grow the economy of this province,” said KZN Agriculture MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi.
Police Minister Bheki Cele will visit Newcastle again next week to interact with community members about the ongoing tensions.
