I am often one to criticise the media for generating unwarranted fears. I see the swine flu “epidemic” as one clear example of media hype being larger than the real problem. South Africa is perceived to be one of the most violent countries in the world with the crime and violence widely reported in the global media. One form of highly sensationalised violence is the
farm attacks”, which is the name used to designate attacks on “white” farmers by “black” Africans. These attacks are given much media attention and appear to embody generalised racial tensions and fears in South Africa.
As someone who lived and worked in a rural community I have been curious to understand more about rural relations between peoples that share an area but form two very separate communities. When I was doing my fieldwork I was often warned that I was going to be killed living in a rural space and the farm attacks were highlighted as examples of my impending demise.
The violence in certain rural communities appears to suggest that poor social relations between white farmers and African communities may feed into acts of violence and generalised lack of empathy between the communities. There may be historical precedents to this violence such as apartheid-era oppression or violence perpetrated by whites against blacks that went unchecked in the recent past.
The racialisation of the attacks is connected to the apartheid past as well as contemporary racial discourses in South Africa that still resonate with apartheid-era labels. However this simple portrayal of the rural violence may be incorrect and to label all farm attacks as racially motivated is probably incorrect. Many are probably just armed robberies that are far too often deadly no matter their location. But it is far too easy to dismiss these attacks as mere robberies and there are clearly cases where other factors are at play.
The farm attacks and the associated violence may be used as a lens on which to focus greater issues of race and violence in South Africa. This is possible due to the amount of media coverage as well as the generalised discourses of violence in South Africa that are generated in relation to the farm attacks. The unprecedented media coverage resembles a media moral panic whereby the media overstates criminality and generates unwarranted fear. This was my initial stance on farm violence. I thought it was being over-reported and fear being needlessly generated.
And there has been some data that suggests farm attacks are less common than perceived, but up-to-date information is not readily available or well-analysed. Statistics South Africa (from 2006) released reports that break violent crime in the country down into these categories:
The breakdown of the reports highlights the special attention given to farm attacks that mark it as separate from other violent crimes. According to this report, in 2003 there were 103 farm attacks. How many people were killed in each attack is unclear as they refer to each incident and not individuals attacked. According to earlier police statistics there were 356 murders on farms between January 1997 and December 1999. Overall murders from 1991 to date that are referred to as farm attacks range from 2500-3037 depending on the source.
Now one can look at these statistics and argue that 356 murders over this period of time shows that the murder rate of farmers is much lower than that of young black men. This is true, but is a misleading use of statistics. Statistics should be used to compare similar populations or at least acknowledge the differences between such groups as well as limits of the analysis. They are not transparent receptacles of “truth”.
Having lived and worked in a rural space for many years, I was surprised at the fortresses that the white farmers lived behind. Houses were unapproachable due to large dogs, fences and gates. The farmers are often organised into community watches and are in frequent radio contact with one another. Most also have private security companies that they can contact if there is an emergency. Many were armed and well-trained in the use of their weapons.
What this suggests is that the murder rate of farmers is extraordinarily high despite their attempts to shield themselves and their families from these horrific attacks. What also needs to be noted is that there is also often torture and extreme violence that suggests other motives beyond theft.
And yes I am aware that following from the apartheid past is a range of socio-economic problems and massive inequalities. As Paul Farmer states that the “dismantling of the apartheid regime has not brought the dismantling of the structures of oppression and inequality in South Africa … ”
However horrific the poverty experienced by poor Africans that may be linked to the past, farm attacks need to be better understood and the fears of the farmers addressed. They are under siege as are many people in this country. Criminality in general needs to be targeted, but farm murders and attacks need to be understood as hate crimes and fought against as hate crimes. They serve as an example of the worst type of labelling and dehumanising of the victims. Though I do not buy into claims of an orchestrated campaign by the state, I do believe there is too much hatred and neglect of the issue.
As I said above, the issue can be seen as a lens on which to focus greater issues of race and violence in South Africa. If we do not get this one right, then the future does not look good — more fear, more hatred and a rural economy in worse decline.
I just see them as an act of criminality that must be addressed by the state, like all criminal activity.
Strange country….
If Micheal says that farm attacks (during which people actually die) are sensationalised, how much more sensationalised are the Reitz 4 issue (during which not even assualt took place).
Why?
Because it is important for the the powers that be to stimulate the “anti-white” feeling in the country. Otherwise they might be forced to deliver proper services.
Michael, were you around when there was a song that went: “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer”?
@Al – My fear is that the song is still around. SA needs to move beyond the violent rhetoric of the violent struggle.
Anytime there is a problem the response is overwhelmingly lets fix it with violence.Wait for the responses here…
@GS van Zyl – Did you bother to read the entire blog? I also called the farm attacks hate crimes.
Good article Michael,
You might be following my wall on facebook.Add me if you havent done so.
Two things though I want to highlight.
I do not think anyone is saying there is an official orgestrated attack on farmers. I would more say if there were any susupicion it would point to individuals, whether they work in government or not. For instance.
Let me use the SA police force as an example. We all know theyve been infiltrated by criminals. Some of those police men is known to have been part of hig-jacking and weird enough involved in farm attacks.(Guys wearing police uniforms and or even using police vehicles)
Now. It is not OFficial Police policy to do crime, it is individuals within they are not aware of with their own agenda’s. The same goes for the SA government.
Another point. Many crimes are filed wrongly, or not even being added to as an incident, or in recent evidence, people that’s been murdered shows up as ‘heart attack’. This is of course to make the police station look good.
Also the ‘statistics’ people get comes from government funded sources which I would take with a huge spoon of salt.
The recent horrific farm attacks in the KZN midlands speak to a rage that emanates from the realities of a dehumanising existence in urban shackland squalor and not rural poverty. The midlands is a community of migrants from all over SA, not just people born into a rural traditional existence. Many abandoned farms in the midlands now comprise thousands and thousands of shacks. It is a site (in SA history) of some of the worst political violence we have experienced – with gun running, assassination and violence against outcasts (and people who were labelled) as commonplace. Whats more, it is a place in which the contradictions between people living a rural and an urban way of life are so stark. The forms of brutal violence seen against farmers – extreme torture, dehumanising rape etc – are urban creations now felt in a rural place.
You worked in the Reitz 4 neatly, Michael and yes, when compared to the horrors that have been found after farm murders, their behaviour pales.
But some comparison is also deserved against horrific murders of the elderly in urban areas, sexual attacks (particularly gang rapes) against women, child mureders of other children and so-called xenopobia.
It smacks of people taking their frustrations out on those who are not capable of defending themselves in certain situations, for one or another reason; the work of cowards seeking soft targets.
Unfortunately, every home needs to defend certain moral standards to help these situations, for which, we all realise, a million different reasons and excuses exist.
Those who still farm are brave and deserve to be acknowledged as such by government. They are, after all, feeding the nation. Not all farmers treat their staff badly and few of the perpetrators are farm workers. There are, sad to say, none so blind as those who do not wish to see…
Thanks for this post. It has relevance.
Nice topic and I am glad that someone is trying to address it. In my view the farm attacks are just like any other crime committed. I have been mugged at least 3 times and in all those occasions I believed I walked away alive because I did not fight the muggers. Had I tried to fight them, I believe i would have been either stabbed or shot at. It’s simple Maths. Same applies to some of the violent nature in which some of the cash in transit occurs. I bet you most of the cash truck drivers who don’t put up a fight end up alive but those who tries to be heroes end up dead simple as that.
So to me the so called “Farm Attacks” are just normal robberies that South Africa experience, it’s just that you would find that in the farms the people have more deadly weapons which makes the Tsotsi’s arm themselves more and be more prepared for anything which ends up in bloody fights. Should we also have code names for robberies like the one’s that were happening in Pretoria’s Laudium surburbs. Go out to townships and find out how many people where shot at and some killed because they didn’t want to handover their belongings when being robbed.
So as much as this is sensitive I don’t ever believe the motive is more that just mere robberies.
Like I said have survived being mugged 3 times and on the 2nd time I had just collected my first driver’s license and I gathered the courage to ask for my wallet back as it had my drivers license in it and the guys did give it back together with my bank cards. I was lucky because there were no ATM’s around as they would have asked me to withdraw more money on top of the Nokia 3310 and the R300 they took from me.
@Michael
I never said you didn’t.
In fact I agree with most things you wrote.
I was just making the point that in South Africa the crime of being racist (and it is a crime) is gets more attention and is more sensationalised the the crime of murder.
Jonny Steinberg explored this issue extensively in ‘Midlands’. It really is something which cuts to the heart of many of SA’s problems, and is a whole lot murkier than it first seems.
Good article!
Good article.
The problem is the low level of publicity given to farm attacks. The culling of farmers in certain areas of the country receives scant attention. People in SA, because of our past, blindly follow populist leaders whether their message is wrong or right.
Inflamatory messages that are nurtured like those of Malema, Peter Mokaba and even the Machine gun song implies killing of the enemy is acceptable, the enemy being the white farmers
This piece is well done and so are all the comments… up until Tlanch Tau’s.
There is irrefutable evidence of horrific torture in many of these incidents of murder – some of entire families. It is another shameful episode in Southern Africa’s sad history.
Tlanch, what’s so frequent is that whether it’s on a farm or in town people are so often brutally tortured, and killed, and … NOTHING bloody well stolen. Dammit. Thank your guardian angels, my friend, that you survived with them taking your property and leaving you with your life.
Tlanch Tau
Slogans like “Kill the Boer. Kill the farmer” and “One Settler one Bullet” are regularly displayed wherever black political meetings take place, including ANC meetings.
To you really expect the white farming community to believe that there is no political motive for farm attacks? Do you really believe they are that stupid?
At best the ANC’s deliberate inaction has allowed the current situation to develop, at worse they took deliberate actions, like dismantling the commando system, to facilitate these attacks.
My friend, I suggest you think about it again. When all the farmers have migrated to Zambia, Tanzania etc. and SA has to import even more food, or people start rebelling because there’s not enough, I bet you might reconsider your opinion.
It might be true that a lot of it is simply crime, why aren’t the Police protecting vulnerable farmers? I would also argue that poverty is no reason to rape and murder – if it is, SA is doomed with very bad genetics. Or maybe, changing from a Net food exporter not so long ago into an importer, the food shortage has already influenced crime.
I also see no mention that you spoke to TAU in your article. It’s a blog I forgot, you need not research, simply give your personal opinion.
Farm murders are just like any other violent crime that has gripped our society. Even though farms are easy targets since they are isolated and can be closely monitored by criminals, farmers typically raise the stakes since they are usually well armed – one of the main reasons why these attacks result in so many fatalities. Violent crime in SA society cuts across all communities and only a strong functioning police force can reverse the violent nature of crime in SA.
@Tlanch Tau – One could assume that the farmers fight back and get gunned down if one does not look at actual farm attacks. There are horrific cases of old unarmed grandmothers being tortured and killed. They never fought back or tried to. Far too many farm attacks include torture and horrific acts of violence beyond murder (as if that is not horrific enough).
I think that dismissing hate crimes as just another criminal act allows the state to abrogate responsibility and to deny that something really sinister and nasty is happening to the farmers.
There is far too much violent crime in South Africa that I address in another blog – Loaded Minds. While I abhor all violence, not all criminal acts are done for the same motive. If the men mugging you also hated you they may execute you as well or beat you senseless. If it is a simple property crime then killing you is not worth it.
I suggest you look at some of the links to farm attacks and use google. I do warn you that the images may be very graphic and the stories should make you feel sick.
@Suzanne – What I found while living in a rural village was a lack of animosity and hate. I had nothing but good experiences in a small community that opened their doors and lives to the scrutiny of an anthropologist. But just the next valley over was a horrific peri-urban location where I was warned by locals to not tread alone or even at all. In some of those places the hatred and anger is palatable.
Michael you have formed an opinion based on the barest of fact and then twisted a few to suit the theme. You say you lived in the rural areas and we assume you had a great time. The worst part is that more than a handful agree with you.
You state outright that a mountain is made from a molehill but do not actually live the life of a farmer.
I will donate my left ball to science if you can prove to us all that you do not while living in town do at one of the following on a daily basis.
1] Worry if someone walks up to your car at traffic lights particularly at night?
2] Willingly walk alone in Hillbrow or any other renown place of wanton violence?
3] If sober – pay attention to that around you driving at night.
4] Fit a burglar alarm, electrical fence and armed response protecting your property. That is if you actually own a home, living in a secure block or do not live off your parents.
Yet you think that the farmer is overstating the danger and the loss of life. Go BS those who do not live in the real world.
Bye the bye if you do not, I do not think you are courageous just down right stupid.
@MLH – I agree that there are horrific comparisons to be made against urban attacks that exhibit the same brutality and inhumanity. Those too should be deemed hate crimes and addressed accordingly. And of course understood as to why such rage and how can they treat fellow humans with such contempt. The xenophobia you raised is also relevant as extreme violence is being perpetrated at those deemed different or ‘other’. I believe that is what Suzanne above is pointing to as well. This rage and violence has the potential to damn the nation if it is not dealt with accordingly.
I never said you didn’t, Micheal.
@Hugh – You clearly did not read my blog above. When have I said anything was overstated by the farmers. I think I quite clearly said that the brutal attacks need to be treated as hate crimes.
I never commented on this blog about life in the city. When I lived in South Africa I lived in a house with armed security, two dogs (after being robbed a number of times), and took all necessary precautions when traveling about. And I have not lived with my parents since 1993 (I am older than you seem to think).
It seems you are the one who has formed an opinion based on the absence of facts. Perhaps you could point out where I make any of the claims you make? I suggest that you read what i actually wrote before forming an opinion. Perhaps you could read some of my earlier blogs about crime and violence in South Africa.
@scarface – who are you addressing? If it is me then I assume you (like Hugh) have not read what a actually wrote. It seems that I should have stated in the first sentence that the horrific farm attacks need to be treated as hate crimes and addressed accordingly.
@Michael Francis
I have limited time so have never read your blogs before, but got up early this morning and read most of them including the comments sections below each blog.
Thank you for consistently producing stimulating high quality blogs on Thought Leader, which also spews out its fair share of mindless moronic drivel. How some of the stuff gets on I don’t have the foggist.
Thank you too for patienly answering comments by readers. Fools as well as those with valid comments alike. You have the patience of Job and are a great asset to this country.
@Michael Francis on November 6th, 2009 at 7:59 pm and everyone who believe farm attacks are hate crimes.
If we believe this is the case then let’s all prove it and let’s deal with this before it consumes South Africa. I don’t believe South Africa needs to have hate crimes in this day and age.
While we are at it we might as well try and really understand the Xeno attacks that were happening here in SA about a year or so ago and investigate the actual causes of those and not just label them as some “meaningless acts of violence” that were being committed by some barbaric township blacks.
Non-involvement and irresponsibility is the other face of the coin of involvement and responsibility.
The ANC’s disarming of the population using a specious Firearms Control Act, dismanteling of the Commando’s and emplacing affirmative action in the SAPS are acts of non-involvement and irresponsibility towards those most vulnerable: The aged, women and children.
With the firearm control act, the attempted impression that is created is that we will have fewer killings if only the police are armed.
The dismanteling of the commando’s had the same purpose.
Removing effective SAP commanders similar.
Tlanch Tau reminds me of those who when questioned about why they never stood up against Pol Pot.
The answer was that as long as you did what you were told and never looked anyone in the eye you were safe.
Of caorse that came from those who did just that, until the day came that even the Kowtow was not enough and you were beaten for Kowtowing.
Yes Tlanch Tau follow path of least resisitance leave it to others to do the corrections. You are the exact sort who has allowed crime to esculate to the point where the pay is better being a criminal than being honest person.
@ Dave Harris. You said:
“Violent crime in SA society cuts across all communities and only a strong functioning police force can reverse the violent nature of crime in SA.”
I agree with you but unfortunately we do not have one.
Your support for the ANC (which is obvious from every comment you post) is commendable, but even you must at some stage admit that they are just not doing their job.
As for the well armed line that you quote. Tell that to all of the people on the farms as well as the residents of populated suburbs who have witnessed the absolute horror of seeing women of all ages that have been raped and sodomised and in many cases murdered by these “thieves”. Many of these people did not own weapons.
The ruling political party is the one that you support Dave, and they are not protecting the people of this country.
Even you cannot defend them on this score…
@Joe
“The ruling political party is the one that you support Dave, and they are not protecting the people of this country.”
I agree. The ANC are NOT doing enough to curb violent crime. Our farmers and their workers of all races are extremely vulnerable and bear the brunt of this violence since they are isolated without adequate police protection.
What I do disagree with however, are folks like Michael Francis and others who spread misinformation that whites (“farm murders”) are being unfairly persecuted by the violence. Just like his roommate Brandon Huntley who lied about whites being targeted by criminals to obtain asylum. This is racist crap.
Hi Micheal,
anyway to get in contact with you? I am writing a big background article on farm attacks, and I like to have a talk with you.
Thnx