FSA facilitates meeting between Eastern Free State farmers and police
Free State Agriculture (FSA) was involved in facilitating a meeting between the Harrrismith District Agricultural Union, Verkykerskop Agriculture, Sterkfontein Rural Safety as well as the South African Police Service on 23 November 2020. This follows a request from the Harrismith District Agricultural Union to assist in problems related to service delivery as well as addressing complaints by the farming community in the area and to communicate with senior management of the SAPS in the Eastern Free State.
Several points of interest were discussed during the meeting which include but are not limited to:
• The availability of resources and manpower,
• Training of police members,
• Feedback regarding investigations,
• Trust between the community and the police, as well as
• The crime situation on the Lesotho border.
Crime intelligence is essential and as such the Crime Intelligence Division of the police should also play a significant role in the fight against crime. In this regard, it is essential that a reporting network be operated in order to focus especially on proactive action. However, it can also play a role in cases where the crime has already taken place. The meeting was also attended by, among others, Advocate George Galloway, who is the chairman of the Harrismith District Agricultural Union, and Mr Jan Van Niekerk, the chairman of Verkykerskop Agricultural Union.
Tommie Esterhuyse, vice-president of FSA, chaired the meeting and indicated that concerns raised during the meeting have an impact on service delivery and it is therefore important that communication channels with the relevant structures are of a high standard. In light of the recent discussions with the Minister of Police, it is also important that senior management in the specific area is aware of the community’s frustrations and that solutions should be sought. The parties agreed to provide more feedback on the issues raised and a follow-up meeting is scheduled for the second week in January 2021.
