SA Bikers revving up to protest farm murders, attacks

Bikers from across South Africa are expected to roar onto the lawns of the Union Buildings Saturday to highlight farm murders in the country, despite not getting permission from authorities for their protest action.

The so-called ‘pass-by’ demonstration is being organised by the Stop Farm Murders movement along with various other organisations, with the convoy in Gauteng planning to pick up bikers at collection points in Springs, Brakpan, Benoni and Boksburg along the R21 highway.

“The government is not doing anything about our farmers being murdered.”

Debbie Els, Stop Farm Murders Attacks Movement.

“The flowers and crosses are aimed at getting the government’s attention in strengthening law around farm murders.”added fellow organiser Tommie Blignaut.

Tomorrow we ride to the Union Buildings in protest of Farm murders in South africa! The bigest bike ride ever! #farmMurders #FarmAttack #southafrica #BreakTheSilence #ourgovernmentisdoingnothing #weneedhelp @realDonaldTrump @PeterDutton_MP @ScottMorrisonMP #EnoughIsEnough

— Sandra Jacobs (@houseofglamour4) August 28, 2020

‘Reinstate the death penalty’ among the demands

The Stop Farm Murders Attacks Movement is also calling for the death penalty to be reinstated for people found guilty of farm murders.

Blignaut said the current laws allowed perpetrators to get bail with no real repercussions once they were found guilty.

“Farmers are being killed. It’s ridiculous that people must die like this. It’s about sending out a message that the violent acts happening in our country cannot be tolerated,” he said.

“We are hoping the president and the government as a whole will look at these crimes seriously.”

Bikers across the country plan to lay flowers and crosses at the Union Buildings this Saturday to highlight farm murders in the country, even though they couldn’t get any permission from authorities for their protest action. pic.twitter.com/ZUwjL72tcc

— Mthombeni (@siceloMthombeni) August 27, 2020

‘Gatvol’ and making a stance

Blignaut said several requests to get permission for their pass-by from authorities had failed, but the protest would continue nonetheless.

“We will observe all Covid-19 rules. Everyone must have a mask. Because we will not be stopping to gather, social distancing will be adhered to.”

“Our food basket is being killed and we cannot sit back and watch. We strongly believe in our cause and we will be going ahead on Saturday.”

“At this protest action we will request the minister of safety and security or the minister of police to furnish within a reasonable period of time concrete measures to curb the scourge of farm killings,” the KZN Motorcycling Alliance said in a statement.

#FarmAttack 21/8/2020: Potchefstroom, North West. Police officer was attacked and assaulted near his dwelling on a smallholding. His firearm was stolen. No serious injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/eL5tQUqlEn

— Farm Attacks & Murders SA (@FarmAttacks) August 28, 2020

Agriculture organisation TLU SA said there have been 26 murders on farms up to July 7, and between January and March this year, TLU SA said it recorded 71 farm attacks and 14 murders. Since then, it adds, violent crimes started increasing to levels on par with those before the lockdown, and between April and June there were 68 attacks and 12 murders.

““The analysis of murder victims shows without a doubt that white farmers, families and farm workers make up two-thirds of murder victims. The particularly high levels of violence and torture indicate a high level of racial hatred, which deeply concerns us,” said the TLU’s Chris Van Zyl.