KZN was once again shaken last week Friday as the body of beloved 80-year-old farmer, Mr Mpozana Khumalo, was found shot and tied to a tree, in the Muden area.
Mr Khumalo was described as a good, humble, gentle man. He spent his life farming and tending to livestock.
Farming communities (farmers, farm workers and their families) are worst affected by the already high crime rate, which increased during lockdown. There is at least one farm murder per week, amid allegations that the actual number is higher but underreported. With our new 43% unemployment rate, there is a concern for continued crime increase.
South Africa’s crime rate is devastating the economy and the general well-being of all citizens. Food security and emigration are a genuine threat which the government and the good citizens of South Africa will need to face.
The Democratic Alliance released the following statement regarding this brutal, heinous crime
By Chris Pappas, MPL – DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is deeply saddened by the news of the murder of 80-year-old farmer, Mr Mpozana Khumalo, in the Muden area on Friday last week.
According to reports Mr Khumalo was found tied to a tree after he went to check on the family’s cattle and sheep. He had been shot and had succumbed to his injuries.
The DA sends its deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Mr Khumalo and to the Muden community. He has been described as a humble and gentle person who had spent his life farming and tending to the family livestock.
Due to their isolation and vulnerability, as well as the incitement by high profile politicians, our farmers and farm workers are being disproportionality affected by crime. The reality is that they are being attacked and killed at much greater rates than any other group. It seems that every week brings another farm attack or murder.
Given this, the DA remains deeply concerned by the ongoing inaccuracy of rural crime statistics presented by police. We are aware of incidents that have taken place on farms, which SAPS have refused to classify as farm attacks or murders.
The DA has consistently been fighting for all farmers and farm workers, regardless of race, gender or geographic location. This week, we wrote to 10 high profile international human rights organisations in order to bring the plight of our farmers and farm workers to their attention.
The DA will continue to fight for more police resources, harsher sentences, and a criminal justice system that protects the innocent, rather than the brutal criminals that walk amongst us.”
