A Task Team with clear a program of action to deal with safety and development in the farming communities has been established following the Rural Safety Summit convened over the weekend by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, National Civilian Secretariat for Police, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Transvaal Agricultural Union, AgriSA, African Farmers Union of South Africa, Agri Gauteng, and Farmers' Workers Union, respectively. All parties further pledged to work together for safety and development of farming communities in Gauteng.
The following were key recommendations farming community raised including inter alia:
- Establishment of rural safety unit per rural station
- Plot numbering linked with the cell number of the farm owner, so as to ensure safety on the farms and improve accessibility for policing
- Allocation of proper rural vehicle for rural policing
- Constant communication between SAPS Rural Safety Coordinator(s) and Rural Safety Forum Chairperson.
- Safety Forums to incorporate municipality as per the area’s needs
- Farmers must hire legal and documented workers and create profile cards to be verified at local stations
- Induction of both farmers and workers on labour law by the Department of Labour, to minimise abuse of workers
- Farmers working together across racial lines
- Government must build or improve on social services such as schools, clinics and recreational facilities in rural areas
- Education and awareness drive on the Criminal Justice System in rural areas
- Education and awareness drive on AgriBEE, so as to empower workers.
The task team will commence with the implementation of these recommendations within two months and will report back on the progress made in the next six months.
Media contact person:
Thapelo Moiloa
Tel: 011 689 3826
Cell: 084 805 2247
E-mail: thapelo.moiloa@gauteng.gov.za
