farm murder pregnant

Farm murder: Violent killing of pregnant woman sparks political action

The pregnant victim, who had her throat slit, has become the latest rural citizen to be brutally killed in a farm murder – and pressure is growing on the president.

farm murder pregnant

A pregnant woman had her throat slit on Saturday evening, during a gruesome farm murder that also targeted a male victim and two children. The death of the mother and her unborn child has repulsed the South African political class, with two parties vowing to bring the issue of rural killings to the president’s doorstep.

KZN farm murder – details and latest information

The murder took place in Weenen, KNZ, and the following details have been confirmed:

  • Three unknown males gained access via the back kitchen door.
  • The suspects held the father at knifepoint, demanding money. Two young children were also present.
  • In trying to subdue the pregnant woman, she was taken to the bathroom. Her throat was cut by one of the attackers.
  • The father is receiving treatment in hospital, and the attackers fled the property empty-handed.

How many farm murders and attacks in 2020?

Prior to this case, there have been at least 59 farm attacks during lockdown – resulting in 12 murders. Chris Pappas, a DA spokesperson for agriculture in KZN, was left incandescent with the brutality. He is pleading with Cyril Ramaphosa to ‘break his silence’ on farm murders and have them reclassified as ‘hate crimes’.

“We are shocked and appalled by the murder that took place in Weenen, KZN – especially due to the loss of an unborn child. There are now two fundamental issues South Africans must deal with: Why does the president stay silent on these incidents? And why are farm murders not classed as hate crimes?”

DA statement

President Ramaphosa asked to ‘say more’ about rural crimes

FF Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, is also set to lobby our head of state to explain how farm murders are a threat to all races, as well as leaving South Africa’s ability to grow crops and produce food vulnerable. The fifth-biggest party in the country has asked rural citizens to ‘fight fire with fire’ – if it’s legal to do so.

“We will send an official letter to President Ramaphosa to address this incident and the occurrence of farm attacks in general as well as to bring it to the President’s attention that his impression that only white farmers are being murdered is wrong. All farmers in South Africa are being targeted and murdered.”

“This is a serious threat to food security and President Ramaphosa cannot put off taking action any longer. The agricultural community must prepare to fight fire with fire, within the constraints of the law. The senseless massacre of the people of the agricultural community simply cannot continue any longer.”

FF Plus statement