Nongqai vol 7 no 5

year as part of our integrated approach towards eradicating crime and criminality in this country.

It is for that reason that we have resolved to properly define these incidents as acts of violence against persons residing on, working on or visiting farms and small holdings; whether with intent to murder, rape, rob or inflict bodily harm. These include farm owners, farm workers and all other citizens of this country, irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion or sex.

In addition to that, all acts of violence against the infrastructure and property in rural communities aimed at disrupting legal farming activities as a commercial concern are also included.

Therefore, the South African Police Service has committed to collaborative efforts various stakeholders such as AfriForum as well as a number of organised agricultural unions around the country.

The following incidents involving violence on farms and small holdings as well as persons in those environments should be reported to the Provincial Commissioners within 24 hours of occurrence; Contact Crimes (Direct Acts):  Murder  Attempted Murder  Rape  Assault GBH; and  Armed Robberies, including hi-jackings  Contact-related and Property-related Crimes (Indirect Acts):  Intimidation;  Arson; and  Malicious Damage to Property Our analysis has shown that there is a particular modus operandi visible during the commission of these incidents of violence and crime on farms and small holdings.

The analysis has shown that there has been a major shift in target selection from small holdings to more isolated farms. Furthermore, another feature is that they mostly occur between Thursday and Saturday at night while most victims are attacked while asleep.

The number of perpetrators at a time ranges from two to eight; split into two groups at most incidents; they have been identified as mostly male and comprising of foreign nationals between the ages of 20 to 35 while the majority of victims are 50 years and above.

It is pleasing to mention that most of the arrests that have been effected are due to good cooperation from the local, farming communities. The commission of these attacks has led to the theft of motor vehicles and firearms as well as disposable items such as cellular phones, electronic equipment and jewellery.

We have since seen a serious decline on the number of reported incident of violence on farms and small holdings from 532 in the 2010/2011 financial year to 446 in the last financial year; which is 2015/2016.

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