Farm invasions decline

Following the grisly killing of the Riedel couple on a farm outside Gobabis at the beginning of this week, fears again emerged that the violence in neighbouring South Africa has spilled over to Namibia.
This does not appear to be the case though, as farm attack statistics indicate a decline in this type of crime.
Since the beginning of January 2016 the Riedel killing has been the second farm murder.
During the past 18 years statistics compiled by the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) indicate that there have been 83 farm attacks and murders reported on commercial farms in Namibia.
At least 43 people have been murdered in farm invasions and about 78 people were attacked on farms since the year 2000.
This includes the biggest farm massacre in Namibia during March 2000 when eight people were brutally killed on the Kareeboomvloer farm by brothers Sylvester and Gavin Beukes.
The Beukes brothers first shot and killed the farm owners, Justus and Elzabé Erasmus, and then executed all the witnesses.
Meanwhile statistics show that there has been a steady decline in farm attacks since 2016.
This is attributed to interventions by the police and farmers after there was a surge in farm attacks and murders in 2015.
That year the number of farm attacks was one of the highest recorded since 2000 and farmers sought police intervention while different crime-fighting groups were established. A total of ten incidents and three murders were recorded in 2015.
The only year that had such a high number of farm invasions was in 2006 when there were also three murders reported.
In 2016 there were seven incidents reported on farms and no murders while three incidents were reported last year and only one murder.
This year the Riedel killing was the first reported farm invasion and murder. It is reported that the Riedel couple, aged 68 and 66 years respectively, were attacked on their farm Grunfeld outside Gobabis and that the attackers then burned down the farmstead.
The president of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), Rhyno van der Merwe, told Namibian Sun that there has definitely been a decline in farm invasions during the past two years.
“We have been in discussions with the inspector-general of the Namibian Police about safety and security on farms and he assured us that the safety of all Namibians including the farmers is a matter that is close to his heart.”
Van der Merwe described the killing of the Riedel couple as a tragic incident, but added that it cannot be generalised.
“When it comes to safety on farms we also have a responsibility, but we know that we have the support of the police,” said Van der Merwe.
The police are still investigating whether the fire was arson.
The president of the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), Jason Emvula, condemned the killing of farmers in Namibia.
He said that attacks and murders on famers were a national problem. “When it comes to crimes against farmers it should not be labelled into groups of commercial and communal, we do not put a difference between us.”
Emvula stressed that farmers were the ones putting food on the tables of the people in the country, and that should be kept in mind by those that were murdering them.
“I have big respect for this job our farmers are doing - putting food on the table. I condemn in the strongest terms those that cause harm to our farmers. We must unite and not spread the hatred.”
Emvula further said that communal farmers, especially in the north, are also targeted by attackers. “It is just underreported.”
He referred to a recent incident where a farmer was attacked while he was on his way to fetch money for his workers.
“It is probably worse here. Attackers don’t segregate between who is commercial and communal; they strike when they see opportunity.”
Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga said cooperation between the police and the farming community had yielded positive results.
“We should however not get excited, because the decline may only be fleeting,” Ndeitunga said.
He therefore urged farmers to join reservists and farming committees and also thanked them for the positive response that there has been so far to fight against crime.
“The decline in murder cases of farmers is very positive and we will continue to strengthen efforts until it is zero,” he said.
Statistics clearly show that the majority of those who have been attacked and murdered are elderly people.
Farms in Namibia are not immune to violence in different forms.
Most recently Aranos farmer Willem Visagie Barnard, 62, was this week found guilty of murdering his wife.
Barnard killed his 55-year-old wife, Anette Barnard, with a single gunshot to the head at the couple’s farm Choris near Aranos on 9 April 2010.
The trial of Okahandja farmer Kai Rust is also continuing. He is accused of shooting at suspected poachers and killing one.
Several other fatal accidents have been recorded, including the massive gas explosion at Dordabis.
ELLANIE SMIT