The Democratic Alliance has said it will push for the government to include farm murders as a hate crime.
During the second day of their virtual elective conference, the DA’s resolution to end farm attacks and murders was adopted as part of the party’s platform.
The proposal was brought forward by MP Dianne Kohler Barnard and seconded by MP Noko Masipa.
“The SAPS plan has failed and farmers, black and white, their wives, children, and parents are four times more likely to be killed than the average South African,” Kohler said during her motivation.
They want farm murders to be re-assigned as a hate crime and priority crime to ensure harsher punishment for those found guilty. They especially want harsher sentences if the prosecutor can prove the intent was hatred as a result of the victim’s identity as a farmer.
In her address, Kohler also addressed how attacks affect farmworkers as well as farmers. She said 612 farmers and farmworkers have been murdered in the last 10 years.
However, statistics on farm attacks and murders are difficult to definitively state as SAPS records and definitions differ between groups collecting this data, according to AfricaCheck.
The proposal received 91.38% approval.
Masipa impressed that farm murders not only are a criminal act, they also impact the economy.
This was one of the multiple resolutions proposed and adopted by the DA during its conference.
Picture: @stopplaasmoorde/ Twitter