There is very little hope for our white farmers in South Africa....yes, you red that right !!! Criminals are more often than not left right back on the streets or their sentences are drastically reduced once in the prison system....
The two terrorists reportedly showed no remorse as they entered the court.
More than 50 people gathered on Wednesday at the Umhlali Magistrates’ Court in KwaZulu-Natal to protest against the granting of bail for two men arrested for the murder of farmer Simon Shepherd.
Shepherd was attacked at Misty Ridge farm in Upper Tongaat on June 19, when two intruders forced their way into his home and brutally beat him up while his wife, Joy, hid in a cupboard.
The farmer was admitted to ICU at Alberlito Hospital with five broken ribs, a gash to the head and multiple wounds, North Coast Courier reported.
His condition deteriorated when he contracted a lung infection and had to be put into an induced coma and on a ventilator. He died on July 12 in ICU from suspected heart failure.
Shepherd was well-liked in the community and many farmers made the trip to court to object to bail.
Placards outside the police station read, “No farmer, no food future #Farmerslivesmatter”, “Zero tolerance for farm attacks” and “No bail for farm murders”.
Darnall farmer Diegter Lugte said he did not know Shepherd personally but that he followed the story of his attack.
“I, too, am a farmer and it is important to stand together to act against the brutality of fellow farmers.
“Farm attacks are getting out of hand. I can always say that the security on my farm is good and that we are safe, but I am only speaking for the present and not the future,” said Lugte.
The two accused reportedly showed no remorse as they entered the court. One of them looked directly at the Shepherd family and smiled.
Shepherd’s son, David, said that he was glad that bail for the suspects was opposed, but that the family needed closure.
“We just want all of this to be over. At the end of the day, no matter what happens, nothing can bring my dad back to us. We are grateful for the support of the farmers in this difficult time.”
The bail hearing has been postponed to September 6 and the two men remain in custody.
Umhlali SAPS PRO, Nomthy Tusi, said she had asked people to return to the Umhlali court on September 6, to protest against bail.
“I encourage everyone to bring about 10 people with them on September 6, to protest against the brutality that is taking place at these farms. People need to be aware of farm attacks,” she said.
The Umhlali detective handling the case, Constable Sidusiso Nkwayana, said police were building a solid case.
“Clothing items belonging to the suspects have been recovered with blood stains on them. Those items will be tested to establish if the blood belonged to Shepherd,” he said.
Meanwhile, the attack came during a period in which police have vowed to prioritise farm attacks, the June 2016 edition of Police Magazine reported.
Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane reportedly told the media that police would prioritise farm attacks and murders in the 2016/2017 financial year.
Phahlane reportedly called for active participation of the community, such as in the form of neighbourhood watches, and encouraged participation in community policing forums.
AfriForum has established a number of neighbourhood watches in various areas and called on community members to become involved in these by sending an e-mail to afribloem@gmail.com
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment