"An overview of 2012 farm attacks in South Africa and the potential impact thereof on society - Entire report on http://navorsing.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/An-overview-of-farm-attacks-in-South-Africa-and-the-potential-impact-thereof-on-society.pdf
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Also see: "The #ANC-regime creates a largely lawless environment in which white #farmers are in peril & likely to be killed" pic.twitter.com/ECsKLEp41A
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DEFINING FARM ATTACKS AND MURDER
South African statutory or common law does not define a farm murder and attack as a specific crime category. The concept
‘farm attack’is used to refer to a
number of different crimes committed against persons specifically on farms or
smallholdings. Most people know what is meant by a farm attack and that several
crimes that belong to the different serious crime categories (assault, robbery, rapeand murder) are usually committed during a farm attack. According to the SouthAfrican Police Service National Operational Coordinating Committee (NOCOC):Attacks on farms
and smallholdings refer to acts aimed at the person of residents,workers and visitors to farms and smallholdings, whether with the intent to murder,
rape, rob or inflict bodily harm. All actions aimed at disrupting farming activities as acommercial concern, whether for motives related to ideology, labour disputes, landissues, revenge, grievances, racist concerns or intimidation, should be included inthe definition of the concept
‘farm attack’. This definition includes actions such asmurder, attempted m
urder, rape, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm,robbery, vehicle hijacking, theft of vehicles, malicious damage to property wherethe damage exceeds R10 000 and arson. The SAPS Crime Research and Statisticscomponent of Crime Intelligence(previously known as the Crime InformationAnalysis Centre [CIAC]) uses these categories for their own purposes as the SAPS nolonger categorises farm attacks in a separate crime category. The definition does NOT include cases of social contact crime, such as violence, drunkenness or ordinaryinterpersonal crimes between individuals who know each other. A farm attacktherefore refers to all criminally inclined attacks on the farming community of South
Africa.
A CLOSER LOOK AT FARM ATTACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
It is difficult to highlight a single reason why farmers are attacked, maimed and
murdered on their farms when the types of aggression are considered. It is also
difficult to predict when a farm attack is going to take place because human
behaviour is difficult to predict. Please note that aggression is not always
synonymous with violence, and that an aggressive person is not always violent. It isextremely difficult to predict violence and aggression in humans. Prediction remainsa n unreliable mechanism
in the determination of‘dangerousness
’or aggression inhumans. The problem arises when it is necessary to predict future aggressiveness orthe level of dangerousness of individuals who had been aggrieved by a farmer orwho adhere to propaganda to attacka family on their farmstead. Adding to thedilemma of future predictions of the probability of a hoodlum violently attacking afarmer is determining what type of violence and aggression embroils during theattack. The complication lies in the motivation a
nd intent of the aggression. It is
somehow possible to delineate if a distinction is made between hostile aggressionand instrumental aggression. Hostile (expressive) aggression is shown in situations thatelicit anger. The main aim of the aggressor is tohurt or cause suffering to the person causing the anger. The anger may be defined as a state of arousal, which elicits frustration or attack. It is an almost automatic impulsive response to the other’s
action. If a farmworker is scolded and demeaned by thefarmer he may commit a
hostile action since he would like to hurt the object that caused the immediate pain,
anger and hostility. He might retaliate and assault the farmer. Usually crimes of thisnature are extremely difficult to deter or prevent. In mostcases, the heightenedemotions of the situation undermine the person’s ability to control their feelings andto make rational decisions.In the case of instrumental aggression the perpetrator of the violence is usuallymotivated by competition or the wish to have something that someone else has. Inthe case of a common robbery, istrumental aggression becomes relevant as itusually involves a criminal that focuses on material goods, such as a successful farm,laptop computer or a cell phone. Although theinitial aim is not to necessarilyseverely injure someone physically, emotional and material harm is done to thevictim. In most cases the perpetrator will use force to attain his goal of getting themerchandise or commodities. Thus the perpetrator places
just enough pressure onvictims to make them comply. In South Africa, an anomaly exists since many‘instrumental’farm attackers use EXTREME force and violence to get what they want.It is a matter of concern that these perpetrators often TORTURE AND KILL their victims
after they have satisfied their instrumental need of attaining the loot,
firearms,vehicles or money with force. Many farm attackers use excessive unnecessaryviolence towards the victims. This unnecessary violence (overkill) is known asgratuitous violence. The perpetrator shows prolonged unnecessary violence afterthey have attained their instrumental goal during a farm attack. The perpetratorwho shows gratuitous violence seems to be oblivious to the impact of severelyassaulting the victim without any need for it.
To put it into perspective, a perpetrator
may take a life for a very small gain, for example, ambush a farmer at his farm gate,
assault him severely with a blunt instrument, tie a noose around the farmer
’s neck, tiehim to a vehicle, drag him behind the farmer’s own vehicle, stab him several timesand douse him in petrol, after which the perpetrator sets the farmer on fire for theinstrumental gain of afirearm, a wallet and a mobile phone. In this scenario,gratuitous violence was used without weighing up the consequences of taking a person’s life for the relative small gain when compared to a human life.
Many factors play a role in the human’s ability or motivation to show aggression
towards other humans in a gratuitous way. Ina number of instances, farm attacks
may be related to alcohol intoxication, drug abuse, socialisation, a lack of
opportunities, frustration, poverty, factors related to a decrepit neighbourhood, peer pressure or because of political influences. Violent far
m attacks may also beascribed to the result of a personal or a cultural belief system, for example, theculture of violence in South Africa. Violence can also be directed at a specific
group because of prejudice or pre
-conceived ideas, such as hatred towards thepredominantly White (Afrikaner/"Boer:) farming community in South Africa. The array of reasons whycertain individuals (mostly Black perpetrators) aggressively attack farmers is difficultto determine. It is clear that a variety of reasons can be put forward why these
attacks occur. Some scholars postulate that the perpetrators of farm attacks are
common criminals who target farms because farms are soft targets. Others believe
that the will of some political leaders entice perpetrators to claim back the farm inany way possible as the land formerly belonged to their forefathers.
Chapter 1: Overview of farm attacks in South Africa and their potential impact on society - Prof. Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Chapter 2: A proposed model for a basic community safety
Chapter 3: Investigating the psychological aftermath of farm attacks Lorraine Claasen
Chapter 4: The significance of the level of brutality and overkill Lorraine Claasen
Chapter 5: From rural protection to rural safety How government changed its priorities Dr Johan Burger Institute of Security Studies
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"An essential investigation" - Johan Kruger
The Solidarity Movement (specifically the Solidarity Research Institute [SRI], AfriForum,Solidarity and Kraal Uitgewers), in cooperation with interest groups such as theTransvaal Agricultural Union, has for some time worked to resolve the issue of safety
in rural areas. It is no secret that these communities experience serious problems with safety, but no comprehensive research had been done on the extent and seriousness of farm attacks in South Africa. Since the South African Police Service
(SAPS) no longer keeps accurate records of the number of farm attacks, it seems as if the matter has been relegated to the background and the necessity of taking action is not a priority. Therefore, the SRI, as part of the Solidarity Movement's campaign against farm
attacks, decided to involve leading experts in the field in a study on farm attacks and murders. The goal of this report is to present reliable information about farm attacks to government and to empower farming communities in South Africa
through this information. Experts investigated, among other things, the nature and extent of farm attacks, the levels of violence during farm attacks, the psychological effect of the attacks on victims, the SAPS's policy on and strategy to deal with farm attacks and c
community safety networks.This report will also be published later as part of Kraal Uitgewers' updated version of the book Treurgrond,which deals with farm attacks
(Also read attached jpeg picture " SA farmers are in peril in a largely lawless society: the ANC-regime creates an environment in which white farmers are likely to be killed, SA Institute of Security Studies)
And background to Solidarity: picture http://www.afrinetwerk.be/?page_id=78 )
"A national campaign against farm attacks - Ernst Roets
Farm attacks are not merely attacks on farmers or the farming community. Theyattack South Africa and all people that live there. They attack food security andinvestment potential. They attack the right to privacy and physical integrity and the
right to life.They attack peaceful coexistence and healthy race relations. Theyattack the economy and the battle for justice. This phenomenon is not only anattack; it is also a test. It is a test of political leadership and the priorities of the South
African Police Service. What is more, it is a test of the leadership and determinationof each member of the civil society who believes that these attacks must stop.The phenomenon of farm murders is pervasive, complex and multifaceted. By this
time it is indisputable that rural safety and farm attacks in particular constitute a crisisthat needs to be addressed urgently. This report makes it clear that there is no onesingle cause or motive for this problem. To counter farm attacks and farm murders
effectively, a versatile strategy is needed.This strategy should employ two broad approaches. On the one hand, we mustdemand that the government act. It must respond appropriately and make thepolicy decisions that are needed to address the issue. More important, we need to
examine ourselves and decide to move from passivity to action. All thingsconsidered, the public can probably do more to address the crisis than thegovernment is able to do.On the political side of the campaign, activist steps against the government are
needed. Like an unrehabilitated alcoholic, the government and particularly theSAPS is still in vehement denial of the problem. Our campaign must be structured toplace unparalleled pressure on government so that it will not only admit that farm
murders are a reality, but will also respond to them. We demand two steps fromgovernment. In the first place farm murders mustbedesignated a priority crime anddealt with as such. Investigating farm murders must receive specific priority and a
counterstrategy has to be compiled and implemented. In this respect, policestatistics on farm murders must be released to cast light on the subject. Secondly wedemand that government establish specialist units for rural safety at ground level.
The SAPS’ rural protection plan is in itself a document to be welcomed. However,two aspects are cause for concern. The first is that the plan does not pertinently referto farm attacks and farm murders–
which are by far the most significant warningsign in respect of rural safety.The second is the perception of local communities thatthis plan is not being carried out.The political side of the campaign is, however, only a part of the enormous task we
face. The most important task is to encourage communities to take responsibilityfortheir own safety by becoming personally involved in security initiatives. Researchdone by the investigation unit in cooperation with prof. Rudolph Zinn of Unisa has
repeatedly indicated that the establishment of community safety networks is themostpractical step that a community can undertake to ensure that crime in its areais drastically reduced. It is a legal way in which communities can take the initiative to
enhance their own safety. It works with the police and not against them.Much can be done in this respect. The Solidarity Movement launched acomprehensive campaign against farm murders in March 2012. Within thisframework AfriForum, as part of the Solidarity Movement, in August 2012 set out the
steps to be taken by this organisation.
Research
The fact that government refuses to publish statisticson farm murders, forcescivil society to commission its own research in this regard and to release theresults. The TAU SA data plays a significant role. This report should not be
regarded as the ultimate outcome of research on the topic, but as a newbeginning. Research will continue.
Legal strategyIn 2003, the government of former President ThaboMbeki abolished localcommandos. (the first line of pre-emptive protection against farm attacks, using local knowledge)
When it was announced that the commandos would beabolished, a promise was made that alternative structures would be created for rural safety. This promise has never been fulfilled. The possibility of forcinggovernment by
means of a court order to create specialist units for rural safety is being investigated.
The battle against hate speech
Struggle songs with offensive content directed at white people or farmers are creating a climate in which racial conflict, particularly violence against farmers, is romanticised. The ANC’s recent agreement to stop singing such
songs is a major step in theright direction. This agreement, which was concluded with AfriForum and TAU SA, was made an order of the SupremeCourt of Appeal. Non-compliance will constitute contempt of court. So far,
the ANC has kept its side of the agreement. Although it is a major step toward peaceful coexistence in South Africa, it nevertheless does not mean that thebattle against hate speech has been won once and for all. Influential
politicians must consistently be called to account for their statements and actions, especially when these incite racial hatred.
(the above was a summary).
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