It is with great sadness and frustration that I have to report on yet another senseless and barbaric attack on a member of the agricultural community.
At approximately 07:00am on Thursday the 22nd of December, Andre and Cathy Basson were attacked at their home on the Mama farm in the Ida/Indwe area. There were no staff members or any other members present at the time of the attack.
The two attackers approached Mr Basson, a 62-year-old man, while he was working in the garden. These barbaric attackers approached Mr Basson under the pretence of looking for work and without warning proceeded to attack the victim with a “panga” and “kierrie”.
Mr Basson bravely fought off the attackers as best he could and ran for the house to lock himself and his wife inside. The attackers then proceeded to attempt to gain access to the house but were fortunately unsuccessful and fled the scene as they knew help from the community was on its way.
Mr Basson received multiple serious wounds but I am thankful that he has survived this ordeal and is receiving the necessary medical care. I am also extremely thankful that Mrs Basson was unharmed during this ordeal.
It is with regret that I must report that the attackers fled the scene and have not been apprehended by the South African Police Service. Agri Eastern Cape will continue to work closely with the authorities and offer any assistance where needed to bring these mindless and cruel criminals to justice.
I am also calling on the South African Police Service to act with the full force of the law and use any means necessary to bring these lawless criminals to justice.
We find ourselves in an extremely volatile economic climate with Agriculture feeling the pressures on all fronts. The absolute least our Government and Law Enforcement Agencies can do for us is provide a safe place to live and do business.
Agriculture forms the backbone of the South African Economy and if we do not protect our farmers then the people of this country will not be able to eat. Safety and security is a basic human right and no citizen of this country should have to live in fear.
This country belongs to its people, and if the Government and its appointed officials will not provide these basic services to its people, then we will take whatever means are necessary to protect ourselves.
As Minister Cele has failed for yet another year to implement the National Rural Safety Plan, I therefore call on every farmer and rural community member to stand together and help us bring these criminals to justice. But to also put plans in place to prevent another innocent community member from experiencing what the Basson family and so many others have had to endure.
It is time for the people of this country to stand up and stand together. We will no longer allow this state of lawless and disregard for our fellow citizens to continue without recourse.
Sincerely,
Peter Cloete
President: Agri Eastern Cape
Enquiries:
Rural Safety Chairperson: Coert Jordaan - 084 320 0556
Rural Safety Manager: Jason Kümm - 079 497 6278
