KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Cyril Xaba, expressed his outrage at the news of yet another farm murder. MEC Xaba conveyed his condolences to the family of Hluhluwe farmer Terrence Rizzato, who was shot dead by a gang of robbers.
He condemned the opportunistic killing and said it came at a time when the country and the province could least afford to lose members of the farming community. “Agriculture is the lifeblood of a country; without farmers there is no food security. Farming has also been identified as a key driver of the South African economy where jobs can be created and rural areas uplifted.
"We want to encourage people to take up farming but instead, criminal elements like the gang of robbers that shot Terrence Rizzato frustrate our efforts,” he said. The MEC urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) to do their utmost to bring the gang to book. He said there had been a hundred percent arrests and conviction in the case of all five farm murders in 2014.
However, he was concerned that there were still no arrests for the murder of Estcourt farmer, Malcolm “Stick” Green, who was gunned down in the early hours of the morning on 5 January this year. MEC Xaba noted that the Pietermaritzburg Organised Crime Units are now offering a reward of up to R50 000 to anyone who may provide information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for Mr Green’s murder.
“Farming is our future, we need to encourage young people to take up farming and not be put off from following their passion because of security issues,” he added.
For more information, please contact the MEC’s Media Liaison:
Nalini Naidoo (Dickson)
Cell: 083 234 0475
E-mail: Nalini.Dickson@kzndard.gov.za
