Deputy President, David Mabuza, has condemned the recent murder of Glen and Vida Rafferty on their KwaZulu-Natal farm.
The couple was killed on their property near Newcastle over the weekend. Police reported that the Raffertys and their dog had been shot and killed by unknown assailants.
In a statement Mabuza said: ‘The lives of farmers, farm workers and farm dwellers, as well as every citizen of the country – black and white – matters. It is for this reason Government will continue to work with the justice, crime prevention and security sectors to ensure prevention as a priority in dealing with farm murders.’
Sihle Zikalala, the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, also condemned the killings and said the ‘ongoing killing of farmers goes against the spirit of ubuntu’. He also praised the Raffertys who were ‘admired by the local community for their contribution to the betterment of the lives of other people’.
There have been concerns raised about increasing attacks on farmers in recent times, especially since the relaxing of the South African lockdown to combat Covid-19.
Image: South African Government via Flickr