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In today’s issue of your morning news update, The citizen focuses on farm killings and the debates and stories that emerge around this complex topic.
While you will still find a selection of our daily news articles at the end of this post, explore the selection of features, articles, and opinion pieces. Click the links below for the full story or visit our homepage for the latest news:
‘SA on the brink of catastrophe’ as young people fear entering the agricultural profession
Louis Meintjies, former president of the Transvaal Agricultural Union (TAU), sat down for cold coffee on his farm in Cullinan, north of Pretoria, while calmly introducing the safety routine that he and his wife Erika follow every night.
Meintjies is important in your community. He is one of the few owners left and refuses to leave.
Louis Meintjes, former president of TLU SA, points out areas where attacks and farm killings have occurred on a map of the Cullinan area, September 15, 2020. Image: Jacques Nelles
It has also been the first to respond to many attacks in the area. One of his neighbors died in his arms. Meinjties has also been attacked. The bullet hole, now covered in paint, is still etched into her living room wall.
Photos and video: Shots, as police and farmers collide out of court case for murder on a farm
Shots were fired as protesters arrived at Senekal Magistrates Court Tuesday morning to attend the first appearance of the two suspects linked to the death of Brendin Horner.
Protesters tried to reach suspects in the court’s holding cells, sparking clashes with the police, while the media were also attacked and assaulted by farmers unhappy with their presence.
Over the weekend, two suspects, ages 32 and 43, were arrested after the body of Horner, 22, was found in the Paul Roux area on Friday morning.
Editorial: Fear and Hate in Rural South Africa
The slogan “no farmer, no food” is often uttered by those trying to push forward the false narrative that only white farmers are able to work the land commercially, generating much antagonism in a country where land reform and property are an extremely hot and sensitive topic. and complex issue.
A police vehicle was vandalized in front of the Senekal Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, during a violent protest by farmers trying to access the men accused of murdering a young farmer in the Paul Roux area. Image: supplied
However, in reality, not all farmers are white, nor are all their workers black; those who spend their lives working to put food on the tables of South Africa come in all the colors of the mythical rainbow nation.
The images of farmers breaking into court and attacking police vehicles mean they have lost a significant portion of moral authority in the eyes of many non-white South Africans who have been hit by a rubber bullet during violent protests.
This incident will further increase racial tension in the country and certainly will not help drive the debate on land, nor the debate on farm killings.
Journos assaulted in Senekal court chaos as farmers wreak havoc
When situations become volatile, there is always a decision to make as a journalist, whether it is to stay and cover the violence or to get out of harm’s way. Sometimes, however, you are surprised and an attack occurs before you realize the danger you are in.
The protest started quite peacefully, but spirits were palpably high throughout the morning. It started with more than a thousand protesters made up of farmers, community members, cyclists and representatives of political parties gathered outside the court.
When things got violent, one of the farmers grabbed The citizens the journalist’s cell phone from the front pocket of his jacket and snapped it in half before throwing it on the floor.
The citizens The photographer was also attacked during this time, as protesters tried to confiscate and damage her camera.
Whites don’t play, says Malema as Popcru beats ‘rebel’ protesters in front of Senekal’s court
EFF leader Julius Malema addresses the media at the Expo Center, Nasrec, on November 21, 2019 ahead of his December conference. Image: Tracy Lee Stark
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has questioned the reaction of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to protesters in front of Senekal Magistrates Court in the Free State on Tuesday.
Malema said this was the way white people treated the “clown” government of “puppet” President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He said: “Whites don’t play; They are dealing with this clown government of their puppet Cyril Ramaphosa. Not a single shot from a rubber bullet. Can you imagine if they were black? “
Cele denies saying farmers should expect to be harmed
Farmers send a clear message to Police Minister Bheki Cele about the murder of 22-year-old Brendin Horner. Image: Tracy Lee Stark
Police Minister Bheki Cele denied he was so irresponsible as to say that farmers should not complain if they are injured.
This after FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald accused him of inciting violence in rural communities.
At the beginning of a Portfolio Committee meeting with the Police on Tuesday, Cele said there appeared to be a slight increase in crime in the farming community.
“Most of the people have been arrested, but we wish we had been better at prevention,” he added.
During the question session, Groenewald reprimanded him.
Editorial: Attacks on farms: from the barn to the basket
Understandably, the brutal murder of young Free State farm manager Brendin Horner has brought spirits to boiling point in the farming community, which is under siege from criminals.
As we reported today, the ongoing attack on farmers and others in rural communities poses a serious long-term threat not only to the country’s security, but also to our economy.
As the death toll among farmers rises, experts warn that farming as a career is becoming more dangerous than one in law and order. There is a fear that the younger generations will see the profession as too risky.
Farm attacks: ‘It’s not a question of if, but when you become a victim’
Celeste and Heyman Schmulian, who lived on their Cullinan lot for 22 years, moved to Pretoria after they were attacked in June last year.
They now live in a gated community.
Jan van der Bank stands with his rifle in front of his house on a farm in Hammanskraal, September 16, 2020. Image: Jacques Nelles
Celeste still cannot drive on the road where her home is located.
Heyman denied his trauma to the point of collapse, four days after the attack, with bleeding in his lungs and prostate.
Both in their 70s, the attack exacerbated underlying health conditions.
They have lived in the suburbs since October of last year and have not unpacked yet.
Cops and Police Forums to Share Resources to Stop Farm Murders
Farmers’ organizations hope that a partnership with the police at the operational level will go a long way toward combating the lack of political will to deal with attacks on farms.
Lobbyist AfriForum, which has been at the forefront of local and international efforts to publicize the killings of farmers, their jobs and families, is cautiously optimistic after deals were reached this week during a meeting between the commissioner general. Khehla Sitole, who was accompanied by senior officials from AgriSA and Transvaal Agricultural Union SA in Pretoria.
Also in the news:
Covid-19 update: 87 more deaths total 17,103, with 1,027 new cases
Cele demands speedy arrest of lawless protesters in front of Senekal court
Stella Says R2.1bn Bidding Scandal Accusations Are A Smear Campaign In The Media
R1.4m Merc seized the wife of Limpopo official accused of extortion
Edwin Sodi’s luxury cars ‘officially’ recalled by AFU
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