Why the DA views farm murders as hate crimes
Farmer's Weekly|December 11, 2020
During a recent elective conference, the official opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA), adopted a policy resolution to have farm attacks and murders declared hate crimes and priority crimes. DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard spoke to Annelie Coleman about the party’s decision.
Annelie Coleman
Why the DA views farm murders as hate crimes

What is the definition of a hate crime?

Hate crimes are not simply acts committed against vulnerable groups but are in fact committed against individuals because of prejudice or hatred that the perpetrator holds against an entire group of people because of their identity, and the act is directed at an available victim.

Within Parliament, the DA’s shadow minister of justice, Glynnis Breytenbach, is working on legislation in this regard.

The South African Police Service’s [SAPS] definition of a farm attack pertains to any act of violence against any person residing on, working on or visiting a farm or smallholding, whether the intent was to murder, rape, rob or inflict bodily harm.

Why should farm murders be declared hate crimes? What sets them apart from other types of murders and violent crime?

Survivors of attacks on farms frequently tell of racial threats and abuse and being called a thief who stole the land. This prejudice was started under the ANC, and now seems to have become the calling card of the EFF. Unfortunately, the last major research about the nature of farm attacks and murders was done about 17 years ago, when it was determined that the main motive was simple robbery.

Since then, we’ve seen an escalation in torture of every kind imaginable, and frequently today the perpetrators leave without so much as a cell phone. Many of these crimes are marked by extreme brutality. A new research project into the nature of and motivation for these crimes must be undertaken on a national scale if we are to understand and then work on counter-measures.

In what way would the declaration of farm murders and attacks as hate crimes aid their prevention?

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 11, 2020-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 11, 2020-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FARMER'S WEEKLYAlle anzeigen
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Farmer's Weekly

Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation

Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Farmer's Weekly

Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards

Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
Farmer's Weekly

Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards

The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Farmer's Weekly

Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach

Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
Farmer's Weekly

Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic

The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Farmer's Weekly

Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting

Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
THE HITCHING POST
Farmer's Weekly

THE HITCHING POST

I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Farmer's Weekly

Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!

Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
Farmer's Weekly

Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?

In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
Farmer's Weekly

Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season

In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 22, 2024