Farmers help to keep their workers and communities safe

5 Jun 2015

Farmers from the Verkykerskop and Edenville districts have shown their care and concern for their local communities and workers by assisting to fight crime the past two weeks. A group of farmers from Edenville were informed about stock thieves who planned stock theft on a farm near Kroonstad two weeks ago. They waited for the intruders and called on the Heilbron Stock Theft Unit. Four suspects were apprehended after they were caught red-handed.

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Ben van Eeden, chairperson of the Edenville District Farmer Association, says they have many challenges with stock theft in the area. "We have at least one incident of stock theft per week." The farmers of the district established a strong community safety network, with about 100 farmers who are members. At least eight vehicles patrol the area every night, which stretches towards Kroonstad, Petrus Steyn and Steynsrus.

Farmers also assisted the police to apprehend suspects after a large quantity of meat and sound equipment was stolen from the NG Church in town. On the same Thursday two weeks ago that the stock theft occurred, a burglary was reported at the church were large quantities of meat is processed and kept as part of a community initiative. By means of information that farmers received the past two weeks, suspects who had the sound equipment in their possession, were arrested this week.

Attack on farm worker averted

In the meantime farmers from the Verkykerskop farmer's association helped to avert an attack on a farm worker on Tuesday, 2 Junie 2015. Jan van Niekerk, chairperson, says about 20 farmers were gathered at the sheep pens in town when Kobus Kriek, vice-chairperson, received a call from a hysterical worker. She told him "they are trying to come in" and that they wanted to kill her, says Van Niekerk. The local safety network was activated and the police were called, after which the
farmers rushed to the farm.

When they arrived, they found two suspects who tried to gain entry to the worker's house. A police officer and a sangoma were arrested. The worker apparently received a call a few days earlier warning her that someone wants to murder her due to a dispute between the workers.

"An attack on a worker is just as distressing as an attack on a farmer, and we are very grateful that we could help this worker in time." says Van Niekerk.

"Worker's safety is a priority and a source of concern for us. We will leave no stone unturned to also keep our workers safe," says Tommie Esterhuyse, chairperson of Free State Agriculture's Law and Order Committee. He says good relationships exist between the farmers and the police in many areas of the province and good cooperation will contribute to safer rural communities.