The South African agricultural organization Saai has expressed its support for Lex Libertas' Witkruis project, which saw 3,000 white crosses erected in Washington, D.C. over the weekend to commemorate the victims of farm murders in South Africa. According to Saai, the project aims to raise awareness about the crisis of farm murders and to push for it to be declared a priority crime.
Dr. Theo de Jager, executive director of Saai, stated that for farmers, the debate on farm murders is not a theoretical or academic one, but a personal and painful reality. "Each of those white crosses has a name, date, and place on it," he said. "They represent a farmer, his wife, children, family, friends, or workers who were brutally murdered on a farm in rural South Africa."
De Jager acknowledged that the debate on farm murders is a contentious one, often causing anger, polarization, and conflict. However, he emphasized that Saai cannot shy away from the debate, as the victims are part of their support base or were their members. "For us, they can never just be a statistic or even a white cross," he said. "They were our colleagues, neighbors, friends, or family."
De Jager also criticized those who downplay the issue of farm murders or claim that it is not a problem. He noted that many of those who argue that farm murders are not a priority or that they are no different from other crimes have not visited the crime scenes. "Once you have seen the blood on the floors, walls, and ceilings, and realized the extent of extreme violence, torture, and brutality that often accompanies these crimes, it becomes difficult to argue that it is 'normal crime,'" he said.
Saai hopes that the Witkruis campaign will raise awareness about the crisis of farm murders and strengthen the US demand that it be declared a priority crime, similar to rhino poaching or truck hijacking. The organization also believes that the ANC should have distanced itself from the "Kill the boer" slogan and taken action against those who incite farm murders.
According to Saai, the world has taken sides against the ANC, EFF, and their supporters who try to deny the phenomenon of farm murders. Lex Libertas' Witkruis project, the organization says, is a way of highlighting what the South African embassy in Washington would try to hide.
The Witkruis project has garnered international attention and support, with many condemning the violence and demanding action from the South African government. Saai has expressed its gratitude to those who have supported the project and has called for continued efforts to raise awareness about the issue of farm murders.
Key points
- Saai supports Lex Libertas' Witkruis project to raise awareness about farm murders in South Africa.
- The project erected 3,000 white crosses in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the victims of farm murders.
- Saai hopes the campaign will push for farm murders to be declared a priority crime.
