Cele to farm owners: Stop hiring undocumented foreign nationals

Cele and the North West Police Commissioner Sello Kwena, together with the management of Brits policing precinct, received a memorandum of demands from the Brits Stock Farmers Association on Tuesday.

The community wants the police to shift its policing forum and resources to farm killings.

In reply, Cele said the safety and security of rural farming communities remain a priority for the SAPS.

Cele said 10 people have been arrested for the 11 farm murders that happened in the area between 2022 and 2023.

"Remember, those people that have been arrested are people that attack farmers, but there are farmers that attack their own workers. There are murders that are caused by farmers to farm workers, and farm dwellers.

“So, we must look at human beings and not categorise them as if there are better and larger people than others; human beings are equal, and they must be treated as such," he said.

"To me, you are not just farmers; you are South Africans, and South Africa is responsible for you like any other poor, rich, black, for as long as you are a South African, we must take responsibility for you.”

Cele also called out farm owners for hiring undocumented foreign nationals. 

“Stop employing people who have no documents, people that we can’t trace. South Africans are traceable because we have fingerprints. We have no DNA for illegal foreign nationals, so if they commit a crime, it becomes very difficult for us to trace them.

“So, work with us, even if you feel that person has a skill that you need, approach Home Affairs, and ensure that they are properly registered, ” Cele said.

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