Although the South African Police Service has committed itself to applying the rural safety strategy during the festive season, farmers are advised against letting their guard down.
The National Police Commissioner, Khehla John Sithole, announced that the rural safety strategy would be applied during this time to deal with stock theft and attacks on the farming community. Across the country police units are expected to focus on visible policing and crime prevention operations.
However, while the police have committed themselves to this task some farmers believe that this will not be enough and advise others to be extra vigilant and remain personally in charge of their own safety.
Jakkals le Roux, chairman of Free State Agriculture’s rural safety committee has called on farmers to be extra vigilant and make sure they have safety plans in place.
“Criminal activities are unfortunately escalating at this time of year and especially agricultural communities must be very alert and attentive to any suspicious persons or vehicles,” he says,
“It is very important for farmers to be especially safe and vigilant during the festive season period.”
Le Roux, encourages farmers to be part of safety groups and structures within their communities.
He says it also advisable that farmers check their alarm and safety gate systems to make sure they are in working condition. keep doors locked when they are at home. Dogs in the house are a very good alarm for early warnings, he says.
“Watch out for suspicious people in your area because you cannot trust anyone. If you approach people who appear suspicious, make sure you are not alone,” Le Roux adds.
He explains that it’s very important that those residing in rural and farming communities stay alert, are always prepared and always know what is happening around them.
“Also, when you are returning home from your holidays keep in touch with friends until you are in the house, and everything is safe. My wish is for everyone to be safe this Christmas and that they have a blessed and prosperous new year,” he adds.
Be prepared
Chris van Beljon, farmer and CEO of Boere Droogtehulp, says he has cleaned and cleared his yard around his house for about 50 meters. This is so that if anyone wants to come to his house, he will be able to see them.
“This will ensure that there’s no hiding place. I think farmers need to ensure that there’s no hiding place for the criminals [on their farms].
Farmers also need to clean the area around the gates, so that they can see properly in the area for about 20 meters. Ensure that your gates are closed at all times,” says Van Beljon.
He also advises that farmers refrain from selling livestock directly to people on their premises. He explains some people do not come with the intention of buying.
His advice is that farmers sell through agents to avoid the likelihood of criminal elements on their farms.
Meanwhile Limpopo farmer Mashudu Thobakgale believes, because livestock theft is very common this time of the year, farmers should ensure that they closely monitor their livestock.
“A lot of people come to farms or closer to farms claiming to have lost their animals but with a primary aim to assess the situation at the farm, and to look for loopholes in your security.”
He says farmers must make sure they do not allow strangers near their livestock and warehouses. “Meet people at the gate or reception area. [Then you can] be satisfied that they are customers and let them in.”
He adds that farmers should have regularly patrols of their area or ensure that whoever you have on the farm do essential patrols.
North West farmers, Ipeleng Kwadi says farmers should avoid carrying cash when doing transactions. “There is so much temptation in carrying cash and it might lead to overspending unnecessary during the festive season. On the other hand its the easiest currency to steal and use without detection. For years now this has been a very good money saving technique for me,” she says.
Meanwhile, Limpopo poultry farmer Maphate Rakoma believes branding livestock is essential. “Brand marking your livestock is very important, [especially] if they graze in communal land. Also make sure that you hire a herd boy.”
Free State Agriculture shared these tips on how to improve safety during the festive season:
- Engage with the safety structures created between the local SAPS, farmers and other role players in your area.
- Engage in farm guard structures in your area and ensure that your relationship with your neighbours and workers is healthy.
- Get radio communication, be connected to the local radio network, avoid being without communication when cell phone networks are down due to, for example, load shedding. Regularly test radio communications.
- Become part of WhatsApp groups that proactively pass on information regarding suspicious persons in your area.
- Perform regular and ongoing exercises on your own contingency plan, that include handling firearms, together with your workers and where possible provide radios after hours.
- Acquire an additional cell phone that can be placed in a strategic place indoors (always charged) in order to be able to call for help if your existing cell phone is stolen.
- Continuously pass on information to safety coordinators of agriculture or police that can enable them to act proactively.
- Emergency numbers of neighbours, police and security coordinators must always be on hand or loaded on cell phones.
- Attempt to install a UPS, especially with regard to possible load shedding in your area during the upcoming festive season.
- Do not simply bring in or hire additional workers for a season until you have ascertained whether or not they have a criminal record.
- Be alert, prepared and attentive and report any snippet of information to the rural safety coordinator of the SAPS in your area.
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