Farm Attacks: Cele addresses Normandian community following suspect’s arrest

Looking at finding solutions, while speaking at a rural safety Imbizo held in Normandien on Monday, 21 September 2020, Police Minister, Bheki Cele encouraged the Normandien farming community to not take sides while investigations are underway. Further encouraging the community to not be racially biased as racial tensions ran high.

During the Imbizo, Cele stated there was a strong need to repair human relations in the Normandien farming community, thereby forwarding people the opportunity to heal amidst the pain and tension.

The Imbizo follows KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikala’s engagement with the local community in Newcastle on Saturday, 19 September 2020. Meeting with community members at the Farmer’s Hall and tensions running high, Zikalala called for calm in the area.

While assuring the government will be working with the police, addressing issues of policing and safety, Zikalala says the government would like to see both farmers and farm residents working together to address their issues such as access to basic services.

Adding to this, Zikalala stated it was imperative to find lasting solutions which would be beneficial to both farmers, their employees and farm residents.

With the South African Government finally elevating their intensity of involvement in the matter, looking at ways to resolve issues between farmers and their neighbouring communities, Agri SA is pleased the matter is finally being addressed.

Earlier this month, Pierre Vercueil, President of Agri SA, said, “Agri SA welcomes the condemnation of this serious crime by various government officials. There seems to be a new wave of condemnation of farm attacks and widespread acknowledgement of this as a problem, adding new momentum to efforts at government level to find solutions in this regard. The test is, ultimately whether the government will act decisively and fully implement existing policy and the Rural Safety Strategy to combat farm attacks.”

However, the tragic and shocking murder of Glen and Vida Rafferty on 29 August 2020 sent a painful surge through the hearts of Newcastillian’s across the country. Stranger or friend, their murder left all who heard of it stopping in their tracks, to absorb the magnitude of the event.

Read more: Normandien farm attack leaves two dead, when will the violence against farmers end?

Now, nearly a month after their passing, joyfully, police are finally making headway in the investigation. At the beginning of September, during a visit to Normandien to address the community, Police Minister Bheki Cele assured, police were on the verge of a breakthrough, following up on strong leads in the murder investigation.

Read more: Breakthrough expected in the murder investigation of Glen and Vida Rafferty

According to Brigadier Jay Naicker, police arrested the 29-year-old suspect and have charged him with two counts of murder. He will now appear in the Newcastle Magistrate Court. Naiker further emphasised, more arrests can be expected.

This heinous crime will echo throughout our lives for many years to come. But, seeing justice be done and hands-on engagement by the Police Minister will hopefully offer the family and friends of Glen and Vida, some form of comfort. 

Authors: Quinton Boucher and Calvin Swemmer

Edited: Calvin Swemmer