The increasing theft of maize in various parts of the Free State is concerning to farmers and the agricultural community. Rudi Jansen van Vuuren, the safety representative of Free State Agriculture (FSA) in the Allanridge/Odendaalsrus area, highlights the severity of the problem.
He said some farmers spend as much as R200 000 on security guards to guard fields, however, even this action does not always deter the criminals.
Criminals are armed and dangerous
“Worrying are the large numbers of criminals who strike the fields. We have had cases where taxis drop off five groups of between eight and fifteen people and pick them up again. The criminals simply overpower the security guard, steal the equipment with which the guard has to communicate and even threaten the farmers,” he said.
Jansen van Vuuren said in some cases the security guards themselves are also involved in the theft. “Certain guards have already been dismissed from service as farmers notice their involvement.
“In most of the cases, farmers did report that the guards are a big expense but that they do help to limit the impact of this type of theft,” he said.
Risk analyst at Free State Agriculture Dr Jane Buys points out that the problem extends beyond specific areas, affecting various regions across the province. Incidents such as thefts by groups operating from Lesotho and limited arrests exacerbate the challenges faced by farmers.
“They steal corn in sacks, put it on donkeys’ backs and then move across the border like that. Where farmers confront them, they run away and the donkeys and corn are recovered. These types of incidents usually take place during the night,” she said.
Buys adds that in many cases a few arrests take place. “If arrests do take place, it would seem as if [the] burden of proof is a big problem and cases are thrown out in the courts. Farmers are extremely frustrated. They have to drive patrols during the night and often the criminals are armed, which poses a great safety risk for them,” she said.
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Collaboration the only solution
Buys emphasised the need for collaborative efforts between the farming community, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to address the organised nature of the crime effectively.
She suggested that the scale and impact of the thefts warrant classification as organised crime, requiring comprehensive investigation and intervention.
“Free State Agriculture commits to facilitating discussions and interventions to tackle the issue, recognising the importance of coordinated action involving relevant stakeholders.
“By working together, the hope is to implement strategies that mitigate the theft of maize and ensure the safety and security of farmers in the Free State province,” she said.
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