It is only one of three recent farm attacks in the Western Cape in less than a week.
In the ‘Juju’ (a reference to EFF leader Julias Malema) ‘Kill the boer’ attack Police are also investigating a case of sexual assault and two cases of attempted murder after a husband and wife were attacked by three masked assailants in their Porterville farm. The incident took place on the evening of Sunday, 25 November. Both victims were taken to a medical facility for emergency treatment. Two more attacks happened between 23 and 26 November. The others attacks happened in Paarl and Wellington.
In the Porterville attacks, Desiree Taylor-Van Schalwayk (45) and her husband Tobie, reported that the words “Kill the Boer” had been spray-painted on their front door mere weeks before the attack.
Fuel was also poured over one of the family members, while another one was sexually assaulted.
Johandré van Zyl, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety for the Southern Region says “farm attacks in the Western Cape are increasing. Ee are already aware of seven such attacks in the Western Cape that occurred in November 2018, but luckily no murders were committed.”
AfriForum is involved across the country to render assistance and support to communities and is working hard to enable these communities to organise themselves within the framework of the law.
“We encourage people – especially those living in desolated and rural regions – to take responsibility for their own safety and to accomplish this by establishing farm watches. We are moving closer to the festive season and would like to make a plea to people to sharpen their readiness during this time,” concludes Van Zyl.
Agri Western Cape says it is also concerned about the recent attacks in the Western Cape. The agricultural group’s Carl Opperman said: “The increase we’ve had lately is quite disturbing and we’re also putting a request out to the South African Police Service so that we have more visible policing in rural areas. The judicial system should actually be much more proactive.”
