The leaders of two national private-sector agricultural associations independently agree that, given this intensity of rural crime in combination with the fact that farm attackers are themselves often armed with illegally acquired guns, all of their members should legally purchase and own firearms to give themselves a fighting chance against criminals.
Chris van Zyl, assistant general manager at TAU SA, says that irrespective of the country’s “promising” Rural Safety Strategy announced by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in late 2019, the level of crime affecting the agriculture sector “leaves much to be desired”.
HELP IS OFTEN FAR AWAY
“Most farm dwellers live beyond the distances within which effective intervention by police and private security is assured, [and] their vulnerability should be acknowledged by the state. Farm dwellers have to rely on their own awareness and various physical and technological measures to ensure early warning of threats against life and property, as well as be able to neutralise the violent intentions of criminals who, in most cases, outnumber their victims,” says Van Zyl.
He adds that the ongoing security threat to farm dwellers and their property should be considered in the interest of South Africa’s food and fibre security, as well as socioeconomic stability. This dictates that law-abiding farmers and other farm dwellers should have access to appropriate firearms.
Tommie Esterhuyse, chairperson of Agri SA’s Rural Safety Centre of Excellence, says that South Africa’s farmers and farm dwellers also need firearms for use in the day-today running of a typical farm.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin January 31, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin January 31, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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