Enhancing Farm Safety and Security for Rural Communities

1. FARMERS, FARM WORKERS AND FARM DWELLERS SAFETY AND SECURITY PRESENTATION TO PORTFOLIO COMMITEE ON POLICE

2. RUDNET VISION Empowered, independent and knowledgeable farm working communities embracing an improved quality of life in a vibrant and healthy rural environment.

3. RUDNET MISSION To enhance the sustainable quality of life and standard of living of the farm workers and rural communities and promoting good working relationships between all stakeholders.

4. RUDNET’S PROGRAMMES • CAPACITY BUILDING: Focusing on Organizational Development to address socio-economic needs such as poverty, unemployment, tenure security, crime prevention, substance abuse, moral regeneration, business plans, fundraising, and networking. • LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Focusing on management skills training of previously disadvantaged people such as emerging entrepreneurs and current and prospective foremen and women on farms, as well as the facilitation of succession planning to equip prospective emerging farmers and entrepreneurs with the necessary leadership, management and planning skills for sustainable businesses. • FARM HEALTH AWARD: An innovative holistic health promotion programme, designed to both motivate and acknowledge farm working communities and individuals (including employers) for service excellence in the improvement of the quality of life of the farm working communities and transformation of the agricultural sector. • ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT: Focusing on supporting and coordinating the competencies of the member organisations and other community based initiatives to ensure integrated, quality-controlled and monitored development services on a much wider scale to an ever-increasing number of farm and rural communities.

5. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • CONCERNS • Farm violence, including attacks on farmers is on the increase and claims of death tolls of white farmers of up to 3000 is cited in local and international media, [Criminal Justice Monitor: 31.7.2003]. • The SAHRC quantified it at about 2500 with the rate of murders increased by 25% since 2005. • Findings by a SAPS Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks published on 31 July 2003 noted that: • Perpetrators tended to be young, unemployed black men overwhelmingly from dysfunctional family backgrounds • Only a small proportion of attacks involved murder. • Theft was committed in almost all cases - in cases where no theft appeared to take place, it was usually because the attackers had been disturbed • White people were not targeted exclusively; in 2001 61% of farm attack victims were white • The killing of EugenTerre’blanche gave highlighted farm attacks internationally, but portraying a one-side viewpoint; minimising attacks on black farmers and farm workers.

6. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • CONCERNS • SikhulaSonke, a women-led trade union for South African farm workers cited that black farm workers and their families are facing mounting intimidation and violence from white farm owners and their agents. • The problem is compounded by a severely strained criminal justice system with poor or no access to services and protection of farm workers. • Violence against women and children increase annually regardless of significant legislation and policies that are in place. • A general lack of knowledge amongst police officers and information/assistance provided to victims to protect themselves.

7. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • CONCERNS • Production of agricultural goods and food security will be negatively affected over the longer term. • Labour relations, job creation and employment stability is compromised by non-addressing of crime and violence on farms. • Lack of improvement in land reform processes adding to demand for land ownership; innovated and accelerated land reform processes are needed to satisfy demand and reduce racial tensions on the matter. • Increase in drug trading on farms through illegal shebeensand substance abuse (especially among youth).

8. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • CHALLENGES • Production of agricultural goods and food security will be negatively affected over the longer term. • Labour relations, job creation and employment stability is compromised by non-addressing of crime and violence on farms. • Lack of improvement in land reform processes adding to demand for land ownership. • Innovated and accelerated land reform processes are needed to satisfy demand and reduce racial tensions on the matter.

9. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS • Improvement in Sector Policing for farming areas. • Improvement of capacity of police stations (and mobile units) to serve communities by also addressing domestic violence and drug trading/traficking. • Incentives for farmers and farm workers to participate in rural policing forums and reservist units. • Capacity building of Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) to develop, implement and manage crime prevention programmes in rural areas and on farms. • Support to farm Committees to participate in Sector policing Forums/CPF’s. • Regular engagement with communities to monitor crime prevention initiatives; i.e. Visible policing at farms, schools, etc. • Cooperation with Local Drug Action Committees (LDAC’s) to develop integrated interventions.

10. SAFETY AND SECURITY ON FARMS • STAKEHOLDERS • Farm workers’ organisations of all backgrounds • Private business • Financiers • Agriculture: Organised and Emerging • Local government (local and district municipalities); and • Appropriate and bona fide farm worker organisations. • Provincial government depts: e.g. Social Development, Sport and Culture, Labour, Education, Health, etc. • Sponsors

11. THANK YOU