1

TAU SA SUBMISSION TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: NATIONAL

HEARING RELATING TO SAFETY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN FARMING
COMMUNITIES
Appendix A: Farm Attack Statistics 1990 2014
B: Analysis of murdered victims
C: Gauteng Province Attacks and Murders 2012 - 2014
D: Groenvlei CAS 2/09/2014 Summarised report

INTRODUCTION
Violent crimes against farm dwellers, and in particular such crimes committed
against farmers and their families, is a relative recent phenomena since unionisation
in 1910. Prior to 1986, very little recorded evidence of noteworthy occurrence of
violent crimes on farms and agricultural smallholdings exists. The prominence
thereof, is obvious since the middle eighties and continues to this day.
The content of this submission is based on the following:
Professional experiences as a SADF / SANDF member 1966 - 2002. The
following appointments in particular demanded a direct involvement in Rural
Safety:
o Senior Staff Officer Command Communication, Eastern Transvaal
Command, 1 J anuary 1987 31 December 1992.
o General officer Commanding Western Province Command, 1 February
1997 18 November 1999, General Officer Commanding Regional
J oint Task Force West, 20 November 1999 - 31 J uly 2003. In both the
capacities the undersigned acted first as co-chairperson of the Western
Cape Provincial Operational Coordinating Committee and for the latter
part as GOC RJ TF West, not only as co-chairperson for the Western
Cape POCOC, but also for the Northern Cape POCOC.
Experience as senior management member of TAU SA, specialising in Rural
Safety, August 2003 to date. In this capacity the undersigned represented
TAU SA on the National Priority Committee for Rural Safety.
Aim. This submission aims to highlight violent crimes against farm dwellers, also
referred to as Farm Attacks and to offer evidence which will illuminate the
development thereof to the present day.
Scope. The following is to be addressed:
Historical developments.
Response by government.
Definition of a Farm Attack.
TAU SA Statistical data 1990 to 2014.
Analysis of victims.
Primary target areas.
Poorly reported crimes
Response to specific issues raised by the HRC.
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Closing comments.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
The occurrence of violent crime against farm dwellers rose to levels causing concern
in the latter half of the eighties. At that stage the liberation struggle in the Republic of
South Africa well within the countrys borders, followed a pattern similar to what was
experienced in the erstwhile Rhodesia and SWA / Namibia where very little, if any,
distinction between military targets and so-called soft targets was made. Whereas
attacks by insurgents armed with small arms occurred, the indiscriminate use of land
mines on dirt roads frequented by farmers also became evident claiming the lives of
innocent farm workers. In fact, the first victim who died as a result of a land mine
explosion, was J as Balie (25), a black tractor driver who was killed on 27 November
1985, one day after the first landmine exploded in South Africa on 26 November
1985 during which Edward Meluba who was a passenger in the vehicle, died a few
days later.
In tracing evidential indicators as to what triggered and elevated farmers to the level
where they were regarded as legitimate targets, two specific broadcasts by Radio
Freedom dated respectively 26 February 1986 and 28 October 1986 were traced.
These stated:
Umkhonto we Sizwe is a revolutionary army and it is not about to embark on
mayhem against whites, civilians, against children, but we are going to step
up our attacks against enemy personnel. We are referring to the members of
the police forces, to the members of the SADF, to those in the administration
terrorising and harassing our people, to those farmers and other people who
are part of the defence force of our country, of the military, para-military and
reserves.
.. farmers were not simply being targeted for their involvement in SADF
structures but for racial and ideological reasons as well.
(J ames Myburgh, Politics web, 20 September 2011)

RESPONSE BY GOVERNMENT
The unabated and escalating violence against farm dwellers continued beyond 1994
and available statistics indicate that there was a steady increase in both attacks and
fatalities. This unacceptable state of affairs resulted in an urgent request by the then
South African Agricultural Union in 1997 that government should address the
situation as a matter of urgency.
In October 1997, a comprehensive Rural Safety Strategy was jointly produced by the
SA Police Service and the SA National Defence Force. This strategy utilised the
resources of both departments, supported by the capabilities and capacities of other
stake holders which were jointly integrated in joint operational structures which were
responsible for the planning and execution of operations. The capacity available in
the Commando system of the SANDF, augmented by SAPS resources, was
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primarily utilised to create a nation-wide presence in rural areas. The mere fact that
Commando members were predominantly local residents who knew the area and
who served on a voluntary basis without expecting compensation, was a huge
advantage.
The late President Mandela convened a national summit in October 1998 during
which the issue of rural safety in general, but the occurrence of violent crimes
against farm dwellers in particular, was discussed. This impetus impacted positively
on the execution of the Rural Safety Strategy which was already in operation and
resulted in the refinement of the system.
In the period immediately following the summit, it became apparent that the
continuation of the problem necessitated the establishment of a National Priority
Committee for Rural Safety. Both the SAPS and the SANDF were represented on
this committee by senior officials whilst organised agriculture was also co-opted and
thereafter regularly attended Priority Committee meetings.
In April 2001, President Mbeki appointed a Committee of Inquiry, chaired by
Advocate C.F. du Plessis and consisting of seven academics and researchers, to
investigate farm attacks. Before the report was made public on 31 J uly 2003,
President Mbeki announced the closing down of the Commandos on 14 February
2003. The Presidents announcement indicated furthermore that a new SAPS Sector
Policing system would seamlessly be introduced to ensure the continuation of
service delivery. Much emphasis was placed on the recruitment of sufficient
reservists to replace the loss of human resources which was previously available
from the ranks of the Commandos.
The findings of the Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks were made public on 31
J uly 2003.
As a result of President Mbekis announcement, the military withdrew in a phased
process from the internal security situation and in time the SAPS also took over the
border protection duties of the SANDF. Whereas the Sector Policing system was
well designed and implemented in an increasing number of metropolitan, peri-urban-
and rural areas, to date the effective implementation thereof in agricultural areas
leaves much to be desired. During this process, valuable know-how and experience
was lost with the disbandment of the commando system, as these persons in
general did not continue serving under the SAPS command system by becoming
reservists, due to the procedural requirements to be integrated into the SAPS. Very
little progress was made with the recruitment of reservists which gradually led to a
loss of interest.
DEFINITION OF A FARM ATTACK
The proliferation of information (much thereof unsubstantiated) especially in social
media reflected a wide variety of interpretations of exactly what constitutes a farm
attack. For the purposes of this submission, the definition as utilised by the 2001
Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks, as well as the updated definition approved
by the National priority Committee on Rural Safety is utilised for statistical purposes.
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The 2001 definition is:
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. In addition, all actions aimed
at disrupting farming activities as a commercial concern, whether for motives
related to ideology, labour disputes, land issues, revenge, grievances, racist
concerns or intimidation, should be included. Cases related to domestic
violence, drunkenness, or resulting from commonplace social interaction
between people are excluded from this definition
The later definition is:
Acts of violence against farms and smallholdings are those acts aimed at any
person or persons living on, working at or visiting farms or smallholdings with
the intent to either murder, rape, rob or otherwise inflict bodily harm or to
intimidate.

For statistical purposes the following crimes are listed as specific acts which
constitute violence against farms and smallholdings:

Direct acts against the person / victim(s)
Murder
Attempted murder
Rape
Assault GBH
Robbery
Armed robbery (including vehicle hijackings)

Indirect acts
Intimidation
Arson
Malicious damage to property

The monitoring of these acts of violence resulted from discussions between
Government and Organised Agriculture and the recognition by Government
that this type of violence poses a specific crime threat which requires specific
attention.

Cases related to domestic violence, drunkenness or commonplace social
interaction between people on farms and smallholdings are excluded from this
definition. (Such cases have to be attended to by the police as part of normal
policing)

It is important to determine as accurately as possible the motive behind these
acts of violence. Special attention should be paid to determine whether those
are aimed at disrupting the commercial activities on a farm or smallholding for
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purposes related to political, ideological or racist considerations, or whether
labour and land disputes, revenge or any other reason are involved.

Note: In the absence of formal definitions of what constitutes a farm and
what a smallholding, the so-called Thursday Committee (a sub-committee
of the Priority Committee on Rural Safety which meets on Thursdays to
evaluate all reports of violence against farms and smallholdings) is totally
dependent on the information provided by the Provincial, area and station
offices to determine whether the premises on which an act was perpetrated
are to be classified as either a farm or a smallholding. This distinction is also
necessary for the separation of statistics pertaining to acts of violence against
farms and smallholdings.

These definitions are applied as the standard to determine what qualifies as a farm
attack as reflected within the TAU SA data base and what is to be excluded.
TAU SA STATISTICAL DATA 1990 - 2014
The TAU SA data base was established after statistics specifically pertaining to farm
attacks in the SAPS National Commissioners annual report, was omitted in 2006 /
2007 and thereafter. TAU SA is dependent on the reports from its structures in the
various provinces, media reports as well as other data bases in the social media to
compile its own statistics. The publication of the book Land of Sorrows in 2011 was
also jointly utilised by TAU SA and Solidarity to invite the public to report cases of
farm attacks not reflected in the publication. New cases of confirmed incidents were
included in a second edition published in 2012. Whilst it is acknowledged that not all
cases of violent crimes on farms are included, the cases reflected therein represent
a conservative confirmed record of crimes meeting the definition and subsequently
confirmed. It is also submitted that the number of non-fatal attacks in particular,
should be regarded as extremely conservative because not all cases of attempted
murder, assault to do grievous bodily harm, rape and common assault are reported
in the media unless the injuries were considered to be extremely serious or the
victim was a well-known personality.
A total of 1734 murders and 3341 attacks since J anuary 1990 to 15 September 2014
are reflected in the TAU SA data base. It should also be noted that after a peak in
reported murders during 2004 (115) the situation has stabilised at a still-
unacceptable level of an average of 62 murders annually.
The statistical record for Farm Attacks from J anuary 1990 to 15 September 2014 is
reflected in Appendix A.
ANALYSIS OF VICTIMS
The requirement to determine the status and occupation of victims led TAU SA to
undertake an analysis of those murdered. Considering the apparent perception that
TAU SA is primarily interested in the lot of victims from European (white) origin, the
broad classification of race was included to enable a proper interpretation of the
results.
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The analysis of murdered victims is reflected in Appendix B.
Based on this analysis and other available statistics, Dr J ohan Burger from the
Institute for Security Studies concluded the following comparative ratios based on
the universal practice to base such ratios on the 100,000 base line for 2012 / 2013:
National murder average in the general population : 31,1
SAPS members murdered : 54,0
Farmers murdered : 132,8
PRIME TARGET AREAS
Based on the available statistics, the priority target areas are the following:
Gauteng Province Murders 382 / Attacks 698 / Total 1080
Mpumalanga Province Murders 239 / Attacks 646 / Total 885
Northwest Province Murders 251 / Attacks 573 / Total 824
Limpopo Murders 184 / Attacks 391 / Total 575
It is equally noticeable that in comparison the high levels of violent crime on farms
and agricultural smallholdings in the Northern provinces, the situation in the
Western- and Northern Cape Provinces is comparatively less violent.
It is equally noticeable that in the targeted provinces, a comparison between the
occurrences of farm attacks over a three year period reflects a pattern which may
indicate that as wide a geographical area as possible is evidently covered in order to
deliberately create a perception within the farming community that a much bigger
target area is threatened. An example of this is reflected in a map plot of Gauteng
Province indicating the incidents (attacks and murders) of the last three years in
Appendix C.
It is equally noticeable that farming areas where an effective safety- and security
capability exists either in the form of a security company or a farm watch, are
avoided by criminals and the prevalence of violent crime is noticeably lower
compared to other areas.
POORLY REPORTED CRIMES
A number of other crimes committed on farms and agricultural small holdings
relevant to the current situation are vastly underreported primarily because such
complaints are not regarded as serious by the SAPS. These include the following:
Arson (even though it is included in the current definition and causes
extremely serious and wide-spread danger to life and damage to livestock,
crops and property)
Malicious Damage to Property
Trespassing.
Illegal hunting.
Stray dogs.
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The fact that these issues, which could be underlying causes for conflict which may
result in more serious consequences, are often either ignored, rejected or
underestimated by the authorities (including the police) as to the damage which
could be caused by unanticipated outcomes. It has repeatedly been stated that the
inhuman or harsh treatment of farm workers could well be the cause of retribution
against the farmer. This motive has not been validated and therefore demands due
consideration and correction.
RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC ISSUES RAISED BY THE HRC
What is your experience in relation to violence committed against farm
owners as well as against farm workers?
o The TAU SA analysis of its data base confirms that irrespective of race
in comparison to farmers, far less farm workers are victims of violent
crimes. What also needs to be recorded is the abnormal high level of
brutality during attacks, which is a major concern.
o In a significant number instances, the perpetrator is known to the
victim.
o Repeated accusations in the past forthcoming from ministerial level as
well as from state departments, made mention of a variety of crimes
ranging from murder to illegal evictions committed against farm
workers. Despite repeated efforts to substantiate such accusations,
very little factual confirmation was forthcoming. Isolated cases are
highlighted to deliberately create the perception that such practices are
widespread.

Would you estimate that a large number of violent incidents are racially
motivated, or criminally motivated, or both?
o Very little, if any, evidence exists of whites being the perpetrators of
farm attacks. In the same breath, the vast majority of victims are white
whilst the overwhelming number of those committing the crimes are
black. The obvious racial composition of the two groups conveys a
message in itself which leaves very little space for other arguments
other than in the case of farm attacks that racial bias (which could be
interpreted as hatred) is prevalent. This is furthermore supported by
reported racist utterances by the criminals addressing their victims as
white pig, white bitch and dog, etc.
o It needs to be pointed out, however, that in the Summary of the Report,
the Committee of Inquiry found that the degree of violence and cruelty
present during farm attacks was exceedingly high and most state
advocates attributed this extreme violence to racial hatred. There is no
recent evidence contradicting this finding. (Page 428)
o The level of physical abuse (including confirmed cases of deliberate
torture) counters the popular statement that the motive for the crime is
common assault, robbery or theft. In most cases, there is little
resemblance of an acceptable relationship between the level of
violence used against the victims and the superficial motive for the
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crime. A formal request to the National Priority Committee on Rural
Safety to include the possibility of muti or the role of traditional
healers (which played a role in the Marikana incident) in the
investigation of serious violent crime produced no results other than an
uncomfortable silence after the request was tabled.
o A case in point is the recent murder of Mr and Mrs Lens of the farm
Elim in the Groenvlei district. Both unarmed victims were killed
execution style by being shot in the back of the head at close range.
A summarised report of the incident (Groenvlei CAS 2/09/2014) is
attached as Appendix D. What is disturbing, is the fact that the late Mr
Lens formally reported a threat by a farm dweller to kill him during an
earlier altercation to the police but no action whatsoever was taken.
(Should it be required, an affidavit of an eye witness on the scene
shortly after the crime was committed, can be obtained and submitted.)
Similar detail is available in the book Land of Sorrows a copy of
which could be provided on request.
o It cannot be argued that the perceived motives for violent crimes on
farms and smallholdings are not related to the robbery / theft of
firearms, cash or other valuables, but irrespective of the application of
the 2011 Rural Safety Strategy and the (theoretical) priority thereof,
little seems to have changed and the level of brutal assault and murder
remains at the post 2004 average. At the same time, the number of
farmers is declining.
o The extreme level of unemployment causes the unemployed to regard
the farm dweller as an easy target due to remoteness and distance
from immediate support in the case of being attacked.
o The comment begs to be made that during the duration of the 2010
Soccer World Cup a dramatic drop in violent crimes on farms and
smallholdings were recorded and not a single murder took place during
the six week period before and after the event. No sooner had the last
foreign visitors left, when the familiar pattern of farm attacks resumed.

What is your experience relating to living conditions and labour practices
employed on farms
o Within the ranks of organised agriculture, the conformation with legal
requirements pertaining to labour and providing proper housing, is
generally accepted and applied. A recent statement by the Department
of Labour confirmed that the vast majority of commercial farmers
comply with the letter of the law.
o It should be borne in mind that no standard exists to define proper
housing on farms. Such structures are constructed at the cost to the
farmer. In this regard the cumulative implications of ESTA, and the fact
that many farm dwellers are in fact no longer in the employ of the
farmer, but remain entitled to the houses which were occupied during
their service. Additional houses therefore require to be constructed
when new workers are employed.
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o The agricultural sector is currently the only sector of the national
economy where continued security of tenure is legally enforced. Not
only does this create strained relations between the landowner and
people not in his employ, but it gradually erodes the property to which
he is entitled.
o Compared to other job seekers and employees, farm workers are far
better off than many people doomed to a sub-standard RDP house far
removed from the workplace which in itself creates additional
expenditure in the form of transport costs.

In your experience, do private security firms adhere to constitutional
principles in effecting their mandate?
o With the exception of large commercial agricultural enterprises who
can afford the services of security companies, the vast majority of
farmers in rural areas are unable to do so. This is primarily due to the
fact that the time and distance factor in outlying areas in relation to the
potential number of clients considerably adds to the cost of service
when compared to the same in high density urban areas. This situation
is exacerbated due to the significant number of absent- and part-time
farmers who have little concern for the safety and well-being of the
wider community within which their properties are located.
o There are however a number of companies active in providing safety
and security services to the farming community. Such enterprises are
legally bound to be accredited to PSIRA and as such subject to regular
inspections and control measures. In this regard they have no option
than to be legally compliant.

In your experience, has the service delivery offered by the South African
Police Service improved since the last hearing was held by the Commission in
2008?
o Based on the continued levels of violent crime as reflected in the
database of TAU SA, the nett effect of service delivery has not
improved. In this regard the question whether SAPS members at
station level realise that violent crimes on farms (irrespective of who
the victims might be) should be treated as a priority, could well be
raised. Too many reports are forthcoming of SAPS members either
being unwilling to register complaints or to respond to such complaints
within an acceptable time and manner.
o Furthermore it seems as if too many priority crimes (rural safety, rhino
poaching, precious metals, non-ferrous metals, ATM bombings, cash in
transit, elections, etc.) and insufficient resources to address the
challenges and obligations result in no priority being treated like a
priority.
o Delays experienced with the SAPS Reservist Policy contributed to the
creation of a void which had a detrimental effect on rural safety (and
probably on other areas of policing as well). The lack of funds results in
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a shortage of critical equipment such as firearms, radios, bullet proof
vests, handcuffs, torches, etc. as well as functional training in
disciplines required within the rural safety environment. The latter
applies in particular to the protection of crime scenes before forensic
evidence has been collected.
o A major communication challenge exists between farmers and SAPS
members unable to communicate effectively and clearly (especially in
emergencies) with each other when they are both used to mother
tongues not understood by the other. The assumption that all are fluent
in a common language is removed from reality. No progress in this
regard has been made.
o Rather than regarding Farm Watches as beneficial to the maintenance
of law and order, especially as far as farm safety is concerned, there is
a perceived and unnecessary suspicion amongst some officials which
prevents co-operation, creates friction and thus neutralises efficiency.
o A belief exists within the farming community that pre-emptive action
based on crime intelligence, which could have prevented murder and
serious injury, does not exist, irrespective of the communitys
willingness to report situations which could escalate to violent crime. In
fact, it is seriously questioned whether the police are capable of
generating timely intelligence aimed at crime prevention in all aspects
related to crime on farms.
o The original focus of prioritising and preventing farm attacks was lost
within the wider spectrum of rural crime occurring within the bigger
rural community and which could include many transgressions of the
law not specifically contained in the initial and subsequent definition of
a farm attack. Resources, already unable to cope with policing the
rural area at large is therefore further watered down having to attend to
social crimes which are not regarded as having priority status.
o The distance from the nearest SAPS station in rural areas to the scene
of the incident, is generally significant and is a major constraint to react
to a reported incidence. Furthermore, poor maintenance of gravel
roads, affects the time to respond as well as availability of serviceable
vehicles.

What strategies could be implemented to improve the effectiveness of rural
safety plans and overall sector policing strategies?
o Clear and unambiguous political condemnation of farm attacks by the
President and cabinet ministers, in the same vein as similar
condemnations of SAPS members murdered in the execution of their
duties is urgently and consistently required. Their obvious silence in
this regard could be interpreted as non-verbal approval thereof thus
resulting in a continuation of murder and mutilation. In the minds of
some, the 1986 declaration of farmers as legitimate targets may still
be in force.
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o The protection of isolated and vulnerable farmers and farm dwellers
and the rural economy in general should be regarded as a national-
and strategic imperative to ensure food security.
o In essence the recognition of farm related violent crimes and the
application of deliberate actions as contained in the Rural Safety
Strategy will go a long way to improve the current situation.
o The current situation could be improved by the following additional
considerations:
Redefining the issue of Rural Safety to ensure alignment with
the original intention of focussing on farm attacks and
agriculture-related crime.
Ensuring that sufficient resources (both of the human and
logistical kind) are allocated to servicing the core of the priority.
A higher degree of sensitivity regarding the land issue which is
causing tremendous uncertainty in certain quarters is required.
Irrespective of formal policy developments, ideological
utterances from political and extra-parliamentary groups which
implies totally unacceptable repercussions perceptually based
on restitution, security of tenure, etc. could create an explosive
situation should land- and farm occupations and threats against
legal land- and property owners materialise in the absence of
statutory protection of law-abiding citizens.
The introduction of a decentralised crime intelligence capability
to service and support the Rural Crime functionaries.
Closer cooperation between the SAPS, security companies,
organised agriculture and farm watches.
Greater emphasis on the combatting of so-called less serious
crimes such as arson, malicious damage to property,
trespassing and illegal hunting whilst at the same time being
supportive of landowners protecting their property and livelihood
against these crimes.
The necessity to rely on security measures specifically catering
for isolated and vulnerable people beyond the rapid response of
the nearest police presence, require due consideration of the
possibility to subsidise the acquisitioning of related alarm- and
security systems as well as appropriate firearms suitable for
self-defence against criminals often armed with semi-automatic
weapons.
Whilst this input is provided from an agriculture perspective, the
need for public policing of both formal- and informal settlements
in rural areas should also be emphasised. In many cases
criminally orientated and unemployed persons create a potential
criminal presence which could spill over to farms and agricultural
holdings.
Increased visibility of crime prevention authorities through all
hours of the day. This necessitates that arrangements and
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structures to be in place to allow local inhabitants to participate
in these actions thus enhancing capacity.
At national level, government needs to ensure policies are in
place to allow society, which includes the agricultural sector, to
flourish economically thus creating an environment for increased
employment.
CLOSING COMMENTS
The silence of official sources of public standing and the half-hearted implementation
of the Rural Safety Strategy reinforces the perception within the farming community
that they continue to be regarded as legitimate targets undeserving of due
consideration and proper protection. In doing so, the Us and Them attitude
resulting from the liberation struggle is still prevalent. Not a single denouncement
from a national ministerial level can be recalled. Surely, 20 years down the line after
the 1994 watershed, the critically important role of the farming community in the
South African economy deserves unqualified support.
The question may well be posed - If we accept that the 2003 Report on this matter,
augmented by the 2008 Progress Report made sufficient provision for the
combatting of farm attacks, and had the 2003 Report of the Committee of Inquiry into
Farm Attacks been properly implemented, how many lives and suffering might have
been saved? What we fail to address, we fail to solve and improve.







CHRIS VAN ZYL, MAJ GEN (RET)
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER: POLICY LIAISON, TAU SA








13


APPENDIX A TO TAU SA SUBMISSION
TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION


FARM ATTACK STATISTICS 1990 2014


2012 TLU SA / TAU SA



PROVINCE
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A
GAUTENG 4 4 9 15
1
0 16
2
1 37
1
3 17
1
4 12 5 11
1
5 21 18 45
1
5 32 8 16
1
6 24 12 23
NORTH WEST 0 3 8 15 8 26
1
2 40 9 19
1
2 23
2
1 12
1
0 30 8 30
1
2 21
1
5 27
1
7 36 13 28
LIMPOPO 1 4 7 6 8 14 3 16 3 14 9 10 8 11
1
3 15 8 18 8 16 7 24 2 11 15 26
MPUMALANG
A 3 7 11 14 9 22
1
8 33
1
4 38
1
1 35 8 21
1
0 27 19 40
1
3 26
1
5 32
1
5 33 14 30
NATAL 3 4 4 7 4 5
1
0 7
1
4 10
1
0 11 6 7
1
0 16 23 25
1
6 25
1
9 55 3 9 31 86
EASTERN
CAPE 2 3 8 7 5 5 2 4 2 2 1 2 4 3 6 6 9 14 8 8
1
0 11
1
4 14 15 11
NORTHERN
CAPE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2
WESTERN
CAPE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 9 5 0 1 5 4 6 3 11 10
FREE STATE 3 2 8 16
1
6 22
1
1 23 4 8 4 8 3 3 8 14 7 20 0 4 5 11 6 10 7 13
TOTALS 16 27 55 80
6
0
11
0
7
7
16
1
5
9
10
8
6
1
10
2
5
9 70
7
4
13
3
10
4
20
1
7
2
13
3
8
4
18
0
8
0
14
2
11
9
22
9


PROVINCE
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A M A

GAUTENG 12 6 32 22
1
6 19
1
2 16
1
1 23
3
4 93
2
9 61
2
0 39 15 29
1
7 35
1
6 44 8 38

NORTH WEST 9 25 10 9 3 4 3 9 6 12
1
2 26 5 21 6 16 17 16
2
0 44 8 50 7 31

LIMPOPO 16 29 11 21
1
0 27 4 14 6 16 1 10 7 15
1
9 17 9 14 4 12 1 12 4 19

MPUMALANG
A 8 28 10 29 4 11 3 15 7 12
1
1 21 7 25 8 20 2 10 4 18 9 51 6 48

NATAL 21 14 30 10
1
4 9 3 4
2
2 16 5 9 4 7 4 2 2 3 2 7
1
1 23 7 16

EASTERN
CAPE 1 4 4 5 1 3 4 6 1 1 4 6 6 6 2 4 0 1 3 8 8 11 4 8

NORTHERN
CAPE 1 1 6 6 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 3 3 0 0 1 1 3 2 6 1 2

WESTERN
CAPE 6 15 1 1 2 3 0 1 0 2 5 8 3 3 2 2 3 8 7 12 4 15 4 10

FREE STATE 15 23 11 13 4 5
1
6 16 6 11 6 9 7 11 8 15 6 14 6 32 4 19 9 26

TOTALS 89
14
5
11
5
11
6
5
5 82
4
5 81
6
0 94
7
9
18
4
7
1
15
2
6
9
11
5 55 96
6
3
17
1
6
3
23
1
5
0
19
8



TOTAL MURDERS 1734



TOTAL ATTACKS 3341







14


APPENDIX B TO TAU SA SUBMISSION
TO THE HOMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

ANALYSIS OF MURDERED VICTIMS




2012 TLU SA / TAU SA



FARM MURDERS 1990 - 2014



YEAR
FARMER
WHITE
FARMER
BLACK
WIFE OR
DIRECT
FAMILY
WHITE
WIFE OR
DIRECT
FAMILY
BLACK
WORKER
WHITE
WORKER
BLACK
VISITOR
WHITE
VISITOR
BLACK
TOTAL
1990 10 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 16
1991 28 2 23 0 0 2 0 0 55
1992 39 0 18 0 0 1 2 0 60
1993 38 1 25 3 2 7 1 0 77
1994 39 0 9 1 0 10 0 0 59
1995 38 1 14 0 0 8 0 0 61
1996 28 2 13 0 0 16 0 0 59
1997 52 0 19 1 2 0 0 0 74
1998 60 3 29 1 0 10 1 0 104
1999 50 2 15 0 2 1 1 1 72
2000 51 3 25 0 0 5 0 0 84
2001 51 2 25 1 0 1 0 0 80
2002 70 10 33 0 0 5 1 0 119
2003 47 3 14 14 3 8 0 0 89
2004 45 28 22 7 0 11 2 0 115
2005 38 2 14 1 0 0 0 0 55
2006 32 1 8 0 0 2 2 0 45
2007 39 1 19 0 1 0 0 0 60
2008 53 2 19 2 0 3 0 0 79
2009 45 3 20 0 0 3 0 0 71
2010 46 1 17 0 0 4 1 0 69
2011 34 1 14 1 0 4 1 0 55
2012 36 3 17 0 0 6 1 0 63
2013 45 0 9 0 2 5 1 1 63
2014 29 1 11 1 4 4 50
TOTAL 1043 72 437 33 12 117 18 2 1734


15

APPENDIX C TO TAU SA SUBMISSION
TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

GAUTENG PROVINCE ATTACKS AND MURDERS 1990 2014


RED 2012
BLACK 2013
BLUE - 2014






APPENDIX D TO TAU SA SUBMISSION
TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION


GROENVLEI CAS 2/09/2014: SUMMARISED REPORT

2 x murder and robbery
16


Deceased names: Nicolaas Lens - 520528 5063 086
Martha Mary Magdalena Lens 530421 0089 083

Stolen: 1 x .38 special Rossi

Farm name: Elim Farm in the Groenvlei district

On Wednesday, 3rd of September 2014, Mr and Mrs Lens were on their farm, Elim,
in the Groenvlei district. At 16:00 hours all the staff employed on the farm ceased
working for the day and returned to their homes. Between this time and 17:00 hours,
Mr Lens went to repair a leaking pipe at his irrigation system. The area where he
went to is approximately 250m away from his house behind the shed. Mr Lens
repaired the pipe and on his way back to his homestead, it seems as if he was
confronted by a person known to him. This person approached him from the front
and it seems that a second person was hiding in a silage pit behind Mr Lens.
Footprints were found leading from the silage pit directly to where Mr Lens' body was
found. Mr Lens was shot from behind while he was standing or kneeling. The
person who shot him, put the firearm against his head and pulled the trigger (in an
execution style). His hat was found next to the body, a roll of binding wire, as well as
a 5-litre plastic container containing a pair of fencing pliers and a metal saw. These
objects were not thrown to the ground, but placed neatly next to his body. The
deceased did not have his firearm on him, as it was found in a cupboard in the
kitchen.

It seems as if his wife was busy preparing food in the kitchen, as they were going to
have a braai, when the intruders entered the house. She was taken to the bedroom
to open the safe. A panic button was found on top of the safe, which she had
pressed to alert people that there was a problem. The panic button was pressed just
after 17:00 hours. When the panic button is pressed, the radios microphone turns
into a sender and people tuned in on the network can hear what is happening in the
immediate vicinity.

A person in the area heard over the radio how a woman was pleading with a person
who was shouting at her, then a gunshot was heard. After that the Lens telephone
was heard ringing through the microphone, but nothing else. Farmers in the area
responded by racing straight away to the farm. On their arrival, they found Mrs Lens
body lying on the floor, with a gunshot through the head. They saw the safe had
been opened and the firearms belonging to Mr Lens were lying on the ground.
The first farmer who arrived at the farm bumped the farm gate open with his bakkie,
and it seems as if the intruders were still in the house. The only thing found to be
missing is a .38 special revolver belonging to Mrs Lens. The scene of crime was
cordoned off by the farmers and the Groenvlei police station was contacted. The
Police Station is approximately 30 km from the farm and it took the police an hour
and a half to get to the farm after being summoned. When the Police arrived at the
scene, two young policemen wanted to enter the cordoned-off area and were chased
17

away by the farmers, as they were trampling and disturbing the scene of the crime.
Both these policemen had no clue on how to approach a scene of crime.

Mrs Lens was found on the ground with her hands, in a hands up position. She was
shot in an execution style, with the firearm being pressed hard against her head
when the trigger was pulled.

Mr Lens was confronted by one of the farm dwellers a couple of months ago. An
argument ensued and the person threatened to shoot and kill him. This was
reported to the Groenvlei Police station, but nothing was done about it. This double
farm murder, in my opinion, was an execution and not just a robbery.

The firearm that was used in both murders was a 9mm Parabellum. Its empty
cartridges were found near both bodies. A projectile was also found next to Mrs
Lens head.