Newcastle residents to protest against farm murders
Residents of Newcastle in northern KwaZulu-Natal are set to take to the streets on Saturday to protest against farm murders.
This follows the recent killing of a Normadien couple.
Glen and Vida Rafferty were attacked in their home on Saturday night.
They were ambushed as they returned to their farm from a social visit.
Their killers ransacked their home and killed their dog as they waited for them to return.
Local farmer Darrel Brown will be taking part in the protest and says they want to bring more attention to the seriousness of farm attacks and their impact on the country.
"We as farmers, produce a huge amount of food that lands up in Pick n Pay and Checkers. It all comes from the farm. It doesn't come from Pick n Pay - it's produced on the farm, so we need to protect our production line and it starts with the farm.”
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The girl, who has been identified as 17-year-old Ramokone Kale, attended Ebenezer High School. Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo says the victim was allegedly stabbed with a sharp object several times on Thursday evening and found in a pool of blood. "The police received a report about the incident and rushed to the scene.
Brown believes the government hasn't taken the issue seriously until now.
"This particular murder is one of the first times you have seen anything meaningful on the media. It the first time I'm aware that a minister has taken an interest even the deputy president.
"So this is being used by us as an opportunity to highlight to the world the importance of protecting the South African farming community."