Issue 152 - FREE
3 November
the good news paper
2017
017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 • admin@thebulletin.co.za • 1 Kiewiet Street, Secunda (Lake Umuzi)
Several community groups made known their statement against the horrific crime statistics, and in particular the “Farm Murders”, by wearing black on Monday. Secunda Bootcamp in Secunda organised a walk that coincided with their morning exercise to show their support for this cause. All wore black in solidarity. All over the country people have gotten together to show their support. Although the movement started mainly as support for the “Stop Farm Murders” action, some groups have now used this opportunity to highlight the high crime rates in the country.
Black Monday Local farmers and members of the community held a peaceful protest on the N17 (Trichardt) on Monday 30 October, in support of farmers being murdered in our country.
A peaceful protest was held by local farmers and public on the N17 close to the Trichardt tollgate. A little later the N17 was again closed by farmers from the Bethal area. Each day, 52 people in South Africa are murdered. This is one of the highest murder rates in the world and every person in our country knows the feeling of fearing for their life and the lives of their loved ones. Every day, seven women and children are murdered and in the last year, 74 people in rural communities have been brutally murdered. The rural safety crisis affects all who live in rural areas, both
farmers, farmworkers, their families, and other residents. “It is now time for the specialised units, which were successful at targeting specific crimes such as rural safety units and anti-drug and gang units to be re-instated. These were disabled with no effective alternative in place,” says DA Cllr Encee van Huyssteen. “Every life lost in these tragic crimes is one life too many.” “The crime rate is too high in South Africa” says FF+ Cllr Aranda NelBuitendag, “and Pres Zuma is doing nothing in curbing the spiralling crime in our country.”
According to the recently released crime stats, 954 people were murdered in Mpumalanga during the 2016/2017 financial year, meaning that nearly 3 people were murdered daily. This 11.1% increase is the highest percentage increase when compared to other provinces. The report also reveals that in Mpumalanga, there has been an increase in the following crimes; contact crimes increased by 2%, property related crimes are up by 1.5%, attempted murder is up by 19.1%, robbery with aggravating circumstances up by 11.8%, and common robbery up by 7.4%.