It is further reported that community members could not open a case with the local police station as they were informed that they needed legal representation to do so. Consequently, community members are reported to have taken the law into their own hands by among other things, burning the farmer’s maize farm‚ petrol bombing his farm manager’s home and blockading roads with burning debris.

The Commission notes the undertakings made by the KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Police Provincial Commissioner, General Bhekinkosi Langa,  to investigate the allegations made against the South African Police Service (“SAPS”). Nevertheless, the Commission urges SAPS to redouble efforts to attend to and investigate all complaints from the members of the community who complain and report violations of their rights and the law, such as allegations of the desecration of graves. The Commission will monitor SAPS’s investigation into these allegations with the view of ensuring that the matter is appropriately addressed. Beside it being a crime to desecrate graves, it is also a culturally sensitive and emotive matter. Swift and decisive action need to be taken without delay where allegations of criminality are reported as this helps to avoid frustration and consequent taking of the law into peoples’ own hands.
On the other hand, the Commission deplores acts of violence and urges the community to exercise restraint and remain calm while investigations continue.

The Commission wishes to highlight the provisions of section 21 (3) of the Constitution that provide that every citizen has the right to reside anywhere in the Republic. Calls by some members of the community on white farmers to leave the area, therefore, violate this right and are strongly condemned. They are also counterproductive to the promotion of social cohesion in our constitutional democracy.

ENDS
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.