Farm Attacks - Time to Act

The debate on motives for farm attacks has been one of the most newsworthy subjects of the past year. A lot of energy has been consumed by this debate.

The time has come to work together towards a solution. The Security Forces have a plan in a place called the Rural Protection Plan (RPP). Although not yet perfect, it is proving to be effective in certain areas.

It is a fact that in areas where the farming community support the Plan and is actively involved in it and is working with the Security Forces, farm attacks are very low. This has to indicate that the Plan does prevent perpetrators from attacking, and that’s what South Africa needs!

The object of the RPP is to protect the farming communities including those living on smallholdings. The RPP is based on the involvement of all possible role-players concerned with rural safety and is structured to coordinate all these role-players in terms of joint planning, operational activities, preventative measures, monitoring and training.

It should also be borne in mind that the decision to integrate the RPP with Operation Akantus II, did not bring about the end of the plan. To the contrary, not only does the Plan continue to exist as part of the Operation, but its inclusion into the Operation enables more effective control of the Plan.

The RPP comprises of two main legs, Home and Hearth Protection and Area Bound Reaction Forces.

Lets face it – whatever the motives – these attacks must STOP! The only way in which to stop them is to prevent them. We need to be more pro-active in our way of thinking and in our daily actions.

Here are a few tips on Home and Hearth protection which can also be applicable in urban areas.

Written by : Supt. C E Muller

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Physical Protection Measures

1. A fence around the house with lockable gates is better than a high wall due to the advantage of visibility. Razor wire, barbed wire, empty tins or bells can be attached to the fence to increase the early-warning capability. Remember that gates must be kept locked.
2. Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglarproofing covering each window. Keep security gates locked at all times.
3. A security gate inside the house dividing the sleeping quarters from the rest of the house could prove vital in the event of physical penetration of the house. The emergency communication system should preferably be installed in this area.
4. Firearms must at all times be readily accessible and where possible be carried on the person. Ensure that weapons are always serviceable and that the handler is qualified to use the weapon.
5. A siren/alarm on the roof with a few switches in the house can be heard over a long distance if other communication methods fail. It is important to test these devices regularly and to ensure that they can be heard over long distances.
   Guard dogs and geese are a good warning system. Keep them locked in close to the house so that strangers cannot get to them easily.

Early Warning Signs

1. Strangers present in, or strolling about the area without any apparent reason.
2. Strange vehicles making use of farm roads or even camping in the area. Look out for foreign tracks.
3. Deviations from the norm in employees’ behaviour. Abnormally high consumption or purchase of foodstuffs by employees. Change in the behaviour of current employees soon after the hiring of a new employee.
4. The unexplainable death of a watchdog.
5. Be on the lookout for evidence of the presence of intruders, e.g. empty bottles or tins, cartridge cases, paper remnants, torn off buttons, torn off material, foot or shoe prints, burnt out fires at apparent camp sites, waterholes and river beds, remnants of meals, cigarette butts, empty boxes, excrement, string etc.
6. The theft of food, fuel, livestock and game.
7. Strangers visiting your premises for apparently good reasons and then trying to make unobtrusive observations.

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Some Good Security Habits

1. Stand by your rights as owner of your farm. Strangers entering the farm or visiting labourers should first obtain your permission. Liaise with your local SAPS or Agricultural Union station on what the Law allows you to do and how you must apply this on your farm.
2. Farm Labourers

   2.1		Establish good relationships with workers.
   2.2		Keep copies of all ID documents of labourers.
   2.3		Encourage all workers to be alert on security matters and to report all crime.
   2.4		Remunerate your workers for useful hints and information.
   2.5		Consider the organising of workers in a type of farm watch system and, with the co-operation of the Security Forces, provide them with relevant training.

3. Do not allow anybody on your farmyard or in your house without having properly identified them, especially at night.
4. All implements which could be used as weapons should be kept locked away when not in use.
5. Remove keys from all vehicles when not in use.
6. When you leave the house, make it a habit to inform your family of your intended destination, the route and when you intend returning.
7. Test your telephone regularly to ensure that it is in working condition. Have the telephone installed in a place that is easily accessible from anywhere in the house, and that is not vulnerable to gunfire directed at or through windows. Make certain that alternative communication is always available.
8. Keep tight control over your keys to prevent duplication.
9. Always keep a torch at hand during the night and when using a torch make sure that it does not disclose your position.
10. Take precautions against theft of fuel and supplies.
11. Vary your daily routine.
12. Make a habit not to go to sleep immediately after switching off the lights at night. Remain awake for a while. Don’t sleep in a place where you are visible from the outside.
13. Don’t stand in front of windows when opening and closing curtains. Move with the curtain so as not to present yourself as a target.
14. Take photographs and fingerprints of all employees. Even if these are not used, they are a good deterrent.
15. Regular target practice on the farm (within the safety measures naturally) is also a good deterrent to any would-be criminal.
16. Inform your children of the correct procedure when answering the telephone as well as avoiding conversation with strangers or accepting presents from strangers.
17. Think – do not panic. Control is your first line of defence.
18. Assess the situation – is there someone close-by? Make as much noise as possible.
19. It is not recommended that you resist an attacker unless it will enable you to escape AT THAT MOMENT.
20. Should you instinctively resist, do not hold back. You must injure your attacker. Immobilise your attacker by means of self-defence techniques until help arrives or you are able to escape.
21. If it is not possible to resist, concentrate on identification marks. Take note of the attacker’s age, height, hair colour, eyes, scars, other obvious physical features, clothing, speech and patterns of behaviour.
22. Try to leave as much proof as possible around the scene of the attack such as fingerprints, handkerchiefs, jewellery or any other form of identification.
23. Potential victims have escaped attack by engaging in effective communication with their attackers (talking your way out).

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