Geweldpleging: Dringende plan van aksie nodig | Violence: Urgent plan of action needed

English to follow:

4 September 2019

Agri SA veroordeel ten sterkste die geweld wat regoor die land plaasvind. Die mate van mediadekking wys vir Suid-Afrika en die wêreld dat die land ’n enorme misdaadprobleem het. Dit kan nie weggepraat en weggewens word nie; ’n duidelike plan van aksie van die Presidentskantoor is dringend nodig.

Die jongste aanvalle op vragmotors en belangrike toegangsroetes het ’n direkte impak op die landbousektor deurdat insette, bederfbare- en ander produkte nie betyds gelewer word of hul bestemming bereik nie. Dit dra by tot groot verliese in ’n land waar voedselsekerheid van uiterste belang is.

Agri SA maan produsente om roetes vooraf na te gaan en op hul hoede te wees.

“Hierdie aanvalle kan beleggers afskrik tot nadeel van die hele Suid-Afrika,” sê Tommie Esterhuyse, voorsitter van Agri SA se Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Landelike Veiligheid. “Ekonomiese investering is nodig om die land op ’n groeipad te plaas. Veiligheid in landelike én stedelike gebiede is ’n voorvereiste vir voedselsekerheid, werkskepping en welvaart wat ondersteunend is tot die doelstellings van die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan.”

 Agri SA werk nou saam met die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens en het oor die jare polisiëring-beleidsvoorstelle gemaak. Die Agri Securitas Trustfonds het onlangs meer as R1,5 miljoen bewillig om landelike gebiede te beveilig.

“Ons spreek ons ook teen geweldsmisdaad in die breë uit,” sê Omri van Zyl, Uitvoerende Direkteur van Agri SA. “Ons voeg ons stem tot ander in die burgerlike samelewing wat bekommerd is oor die veiligheid van ons landsburgers.”

 Agri SA neem kennis van verskeie regeringsdepartemente se voorgenome planne om die vlaag van geweld aan te spreek. Agri SA sal deelneem aan die proses om oplossings vir ’n veilige Suid-Afrika te vind.

Navrae:

Tommie Esterhuyse

Agri SA voorsitter van Sentrum van Uitnemendheid: Landelike Veiligheid

(S) 082 782 0668

Omri van Zyl

Agri SA Uitvoerende Direkteur

(S) 082 417 5724

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Agri SA strongly condemns the violence taking place across the country. The degree of media coverage shows South Africa and the world that the country has an enormous crime problem. It cannot be wished away or not spoken about; a clear plan of action from the President’s Office is urgently needed.

The latest attacks on trucks and major access routes have a direct impact on the agricultural sector because inputs, perishables and other products are not delivered on time or do not reach their destination. This contributes to major losses in a country where food security is of the utmost importance.

Agri SA warns producers to plan routes in advance and be on their guard.

 “These attacks can deter investors to the detriment of the whole of South Africa,” says Tommie Esterhuyse, chair of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence: Rural Safety. “Economic investment is needed to put the country on a growth path. Safety in rural as well as urban areas is a prerequisite for food security, job creation and prosperity, which supports the objectives of the National Development Plan.”

Agri SA works closely with the South African Police Service and has made policing policy proposals. The Agri Securitas Trust Fund recently donated more than R1.5 million to support safety measures in rural areas.

“We also condemn violent crime in general,” says Omri van Zyl, Executive Director of Agri SA. “We support civil society who are concerned about the safety of our citizens.”

Agri SA takes note of various government departments’ proposed plans to address the spate of violence. Agri SA will participate in the process of finding solutions for a safe South Africa.

Enquiries:

Tommie Esterhuyse

Agri SA chair of Centre of Excellence: Rural Safety

(C) 082 782 0668

Omri van Zyl

Agri SA Executive Director

(C) 082 417 5724