How to start a farm watch in your area

Rural safety initiatives like farm watch systems are guided by the framework laid out in the national Rural Safety Strategy. Dr Jane Buys, safety risk analyst for Free State Agriculture, talks Sabrina Dean through the concept of a farm watch and how to establish one

- Dr Jane Buys

It's 7pm and time for evening roll call. The first few responses come in as per normal. Radios are operational and all is well at the homesteads.

Next on the list is the old man farming at the edge of the sector, Oom Johan (pseudonym). He always checks in for roll call, but tonight there is no response.

The sector leader makes the call, he activates the plan. The first responders are dispatched and the rural safety officer at the local police station is informed of a suspected problem. If applicable, private security may also be notified and dispatched.

More responders are activated and move towards sector access points, setting up station to monitor access and prevent possible criminal escapes.

On arrival at the old man's farmstead, a gate is seen standing agape.

The sector leader knows this is out of character and a suspected farm attack is underway.

On entry to the homestead, the old farmer is found with a gunshot wound, still alive but bleeding. The attackers are gone, but only just.

A farmworker lies bleeding from a head wound near the kraal, his wife crying and wailing, pointing towards the neighbour's farm.

The emergency part of the plan is activated, and the wounded victims are stabilised by a member of the farm watch team who has undergone emergency response training.

They will be taken to hospital and the early intervention will factor heavily in their survival. The emergency reaction has now, meanwhile, evolved into a manhunt.

The wife of the farmworker provides responders with a description. Two men, 20 to 30 years old, strangers to the area, fled towards a neighbouring farm.

Drones have been activated where possible, access routes blockaded, police dispatched, informants called in. Every effort will be made to find and detain the suspects as soon as possible.

REAL LIFE SCENARIO