Rural safety remains a priority
MULDERSDRIFT – Farming communities vowed to turn around rural safety through joint efforts during a two-day summit in Muldersdrift.
Farming communities vow to turn around rural safety through joint efforts.
Farm owners, farm workers, farm tenants and various stakeholders in the agricultural sector spent two days developing a plan against crime on 28 February at Glenburn Lodge in Muldersdrift.
With aggravated robberies, which are part of trio crimes, and other contact crimes that are among serious crime challenges that confront rural communities across the country, the farming communities made a pledge that they would work hard to ensure safety.
Spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Thapelo Moiloa said he was happy that they met people’s needs.
“All parties pledged to work together for safety and development of farming communities in Gauteng,” he said.
He added, “The summit goes a long way in addressing rural and development issues which have been problematic.”
“We are hoping that people will live by their pledge,” said Moiloa.
During the summit, farmers also raised recommendations that will be followed by the task team. The task team will commence with the implementation of these recommendations within two months and will report back on the progress made in the next six months.
The following recommendations were raised by farmers:
•The establishment of a rural safety unit per rural station
• Plot numbering linked with the cellnumber of the farm owner, to ensure safety on the farms and improve accessibility for policing
• Allocation of proper rural vehicles for rural policing
• Constant communication between SAPS Rural Safety coordinator(s) and Rural Safety Forum chairperson.
• Safety Forums to incorporate municipality as per the area’s needs
• Farmers must hire legal and documented workers and create profile cards to be verified at local stations
• Induction of both farmers and workers on labour law by the Department of Labour, to minimize abuse of workers
• Farmers working together across racial lines
• Government must build or improve on social services such as schools, clinics and recreational facilities in rural areas
• Education and awareness drive on the Criminal Justice System in rural areas
• Education and awareness drive on AgriBEE, to empower workers.
