'No bail for farm attackers'

WESTERN CAPE: MEC JOINS FARMERS IN COURT, DEMANDING JUSTICE AFTER VIOLENT ASSAULT

- Oratile Mashilo

TAKING A STAND. Ivan Meyer, Western Cape MEC for agriculture, economic development and tourism, centre, seeks justice. Picture: Supplied

Meyer warns rising crime undermines livelihoods and agri-economy.

estern Cape MEC for agriculture, economic development and tourism Ivan Meyer has sounded the alarm over a surge in violent farm attacks, warning that rural crime is not only devastating families and communities, but also threatening food security and the provincial economy.

His remarks, delivered after attending the court appearance yesterday of suspects accused of assaulting a Lambert's Bay farmer, underscore growing outrage and calls for stronger policing and justice in the province's rural heartlands.

Meyer's comments follow two separate incidents in the West Coast and Overberg regions.

According to the Western Cape government, the suspects allegedly assaulted farmer Hugo Louw after he confronted suspected stock thieves.