AgriSA and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing the two organisations to collect, share and jointly report on rural crime data, aimed at shaping the national police response to crime on farms.
In a joint statement, the two organisations say the reach of AgriSA and the independent research expertise of the ISS will result in credible evidence being collected, which is the strongest basis for protecting farmers, farm workers and rural communities, and for holding the state to its commitments.
Public debate about crime on farms is often shaped by competing figures and strongly held narratives, which include the belief that farm attacks are politically motivated.
AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé says the issue needs to move beyond competing statistics and focus on what the evidence shows.
“AgriSA brings the experience and reach of organised agriculture, while the ISS brings independence, research rigour and deep expertise in crime and justice. Together, we want to turn that knowledge into practical interventions that improve safety for the people who live and work in rural communities.”
Head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the ISS, Lizette Lancaster, says good policy starts with good evidence.
“Organised agriculture holds knowledge of rural areas that is difficult to obtain any other way, and this partnership allows us to combine that knowledge with our research and analysis. Our aim is to understand what drives violence in rural areas, what is working to prevent it, and how the state and communities can respond more effectively.”
The organisations say the main objective is to make communities safer across South Africa.
“Crime on farms does not happen in isolation from the towns around them. It affects farm owners, farm workers, agribusinesses and their employees alike, and lasting prevention depends on effective local policing, cooperation between communities and the police, and structured, accountable community safety initiatives.”
