FF Plus turns up heat on Ramaphosa after Ottosdal farm killing

The FF Plus has challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa to condemn farm murders after the killing of Hannetjie van Zyl near Ottosdal in North West.

Party leader Dr Corné Mulder said Ramaphosa should publicly acknowledge attacks on farming communities and extend his condolences to Van Zyl’s family.

Van Zyl, 55, died after an attack at Doornpan Farm on Monday evening, 5 October.

SAPS has opened a murder case after officers responded to a complaint of a possible farm attack.

FF Plus challenges Ramaphosa

Mulder accused government of failing to give farm attacks the same urgency as other violent crimes.

He pointed to Ramaphosa’s response to the recent killings of women in the East Rand, where the president directed police to prioritise the cases and said no stone should be left unturned.

The FF Plus questioned why violence in farming communities did not draw the same presidential response.

Mulder also renewed the party’s call for Ramaphosa to condemn the song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer”.

The party has argued that farm attacks should receive priority attention from government and law enforcement.

Police probe Van Zyl murder

Police said officers received a complaint of a possible farm attack at Doornpan Farm and went to the property.

By the time they arrived, Van Zyl’s husband had already taken her towards a hospital in Klerksdorp. She later died.

SAPS said Van Zyl was allegedly stabbed with an unknown object while trying to open a gate.

The FF Plus gave a different account, saying she was struck over the head at the farm gate. Police are still establishing exactly how the attack unfolded.

North West police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said no suspects had been arrested.

“Police investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify and apprehend the suspect or suspects,” Morake said.

Cameron calls for stronger rural policing

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron has also weighed in following Van Zyl’s death.

Cameron called for stronger rural policing, better crime intelligence, properly resourced detectives and functioning rural safety structures.

“Those responsible for attacks like this must be identified, arrested and successfully prosecuted,” he said.

Parliament confirms Cameron currently chairs the Portfolio Committee on Police.