President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the recent killing of a young farmer, Brendin Horner, and is advocating for the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy.
In his weekly address on Monday, 12 October 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa focused on farm attacks. The statement was the first official word from the president’s office about the contentious matter that gripped headlines for the past week; the killing of Brendin Horner and the subsequent Senekal Magistrate’s Court incident.
While the statement acknowledged the passing of Horner and the circumstances surrounding his passing, it further addressed court violence and the damage to state property. The statement reflected on what the protest revealed, stating, “[It] shows that we have not yet escaped the divisions and mistrust of our past.”
In proposing remedial action, the statement called for the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy. The strategy is one that involves the cooperation of community members, farm owners, and security companies and law enforcement to stop farm attacks.
“We have to invest in rural development and tackle the severe inequality that persists in farming communities. We need a coordinated effort to improve the quality of life of all people living in rural areas,” the statement added.
Read the full statement below.
From The Desk of the President – Monday, 12 October 2020 –
https://t.co/Se745NUxMN Just over a week ago, Brendin Horner, a young farm manager in the Free State, was murdered in an appalling act of cruelty.His killing should anger and upset every one of us. pic.twitter.com/BRETJIz1xB
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 12, 2020
Sabelo Makhubo
s.makhubo@politicalanalysis.co.za
