Over the past four years, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has taken several steps to bolster the safety of farming communities.
Also read: Elderly couple attacked, husband murdered on Van Rhynsdorp farm
Dr Ivan Meyer, the provincial Minister of Agriculture, says these measures will continue to be implemented with the department’s R1.018 billion budget for the 2024/25 financial year.
‘We have been working together across government, the industry and with communities to create safer environments for all,’ Meyer said in a statement.
The following safety initiatives and programmes have been established and/or implemented:
- A Rural Safety Desk and dedicated email address ([email protected]) where the agricultural sector and citizens can report incidents of crime
- A Rural Safety Monitoring Dashboard to log safety incidents and monitor safety incidents via the Court Watching Briefing Unit within the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS)
- The Rural Baseline Study on Rural Safety
- A Rural Safety brochure and pocket guide, which is distributed at engagements and awareness sessions held, was aimed to share information on rural safety interventions and relevant contact numbers
- A Western Cape Rural Safety Summit
- Joint awareness and information sessions with the Mobility Department (Road Safety Management Unit) regarding rural safety, including pedestrian educational sessions, and safe transportation of agri workers
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Meyer says the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) and Philani Training & Development Solution have been added to the department’s list of partners to ensure safe, potable water, support the fight against stock theft and ‘with the support of producers, secure the training and employment of trained community health workers on farms in the Koue Bokkeveld’.
Furthermore, the department will also partner with the Western Cape Department of Mobility to ‘call on the National Government to amend the National Traffic Regulations to ensure that the transporting of agri workers on the back of trucks is effectively stopped,’ he adds.
‘Our farm workers and owners should be able to go about their business of feeding the nation and boosting our economy without having to be concerned that they will be targeted by criminals. We will therefore continue to forge ahead with plans to ensure that farmers, farmworkers and rural communities who are the backbone of our agricultural economy, are safe.’
Unleash your inner explorer with these incredible car deals, all priced under 100k. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Picture: Tim Mossholder / Unsplash