23 October 2023
A recent foiled but traumatic farm attack in KwaZulu-Natal is a reminder that farming communities must be on heightened alert.
A 27-year-old farmer in KwaZulu-Natal’s Fawn Leas/Harburg district reportedly shot armed intruders, killing two and wounding a third, in his home at 1am last Tuesday.
According to the KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) head of security, Freddie van Tonder, the incident left the farmer shaken and traumatised.
Van Tonder says the farmer, who recently married, was woken by the sound of an outside door being forced open. He armed himself with his licensed 9mm firearm and went to investigate.
“As he stepped out of his bedroom and into the lounge area, he was confronted by four intruders,” says Van Tonder. “The first was clearly armed with a knife and rushed towards the farmer, who immediately shot and killed him.
“A second intruder then also tried to attack the farmer and was also shot and killed. The farmer shot and wounded a third. The wounded suspect and the fourth intruder fled into a sugarcane field.”
Van Tonder says the farmer alerted a private security company which sent up a drone to try to trace the fleeing suspects, but the thick sugarcane made it impossible. They reportedly remain on the run.
Van Tonder says the farmer has made an official statement to the police, and KZN police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala says Harburg police are investigating charges of house robbery and double murder related to the incident.
“[The complainant] tried to warn [the four suspects] to leave the house but they were violent towards him. Two knives and a screwdriver were found from the deceased suspects,” says Gwala.
In late August, Kwanalu’s security desk issued a security alert to union members about an increase in criminal activities due to higher demand for cash, livestock and other items of value.
“Statistics collected from previous years indicate that well-organised syndicates are more active during this period and will not hesitate to make use of every possible opportunity to commit a crime,” says the alert. “Farmers trading on their farm should take extra precautionary measures to ensure their own personal safety and security.”
The alert says that on visits to farm attack scenes, Van Tonder often notes minimal security measures. Further investigations often establish that foreigners and drug addicts are often responsible for attacks, and there are suspicions that information has been provided by farm workers or people closely associated with the attackers.
“Employers are advised to screen all their labour and to ensure that workers are in possession of a valid identification document. Keep copies of all relevant documentation for possible reference,” the alert says.
“It was further noted that there is an increase in farm attacks and criminal activities in areas where contract workers are deployed.”
Van Tonder reminds all farming communities and individuals to take every security measure possible to help ensure their safety. This includes developing and maintaining a good working relationship with local police and establishing an effective safety network within each community.
In a separate incident that underscores Kwanalu’s observations and warnings, Magma Security and Investigations recently worked with Eastern Cape police to intercept two vehicles laden with meat from seven stolen and slaughtered cattle.
Magma’s statement says the vehicles were traced and stopped in the Eastern Cape’s Mgwali and Maclear districts. The vehicles were impounded, the meat was recovered and seven suspects were arrested.
