By :Laurence Palmer t/a LP Consultant D.W.D. (DMS) Dip.Sec.M. (Lt. Col. Ret.)
It is nearly impossible nowadays to pick up a magazine or newspaper without coming across an article or a report related to a farm attack that has occurred, or some advice given to famers on how to protect themselves or some or other physical security system or technology that can solve all of the farmers problems. And yet farmers are still getting attacked, the year 2023 recorded 296 farm attacks and 49 murders (AfriForum 2024).
At the risk of repeating my self and presenting an old story again, I remind our farmers below of the simple and obvious measures that they can implement in order not to become a statistic and to be pro-active in their approach to their security and safety on the farm.
WHO ?????? are the role players………….
- The owner / resident:
- Is responsible for the Safety and Security of the People
Assets and Property that are in his/her care and control.
He/she should install, operate and maintain the minimum-security systems and equipment required to ensure the safety and security of his/her charges and resources.
2. Your own farm Community:
- Vet and Identify your own people, effective vetting and selection is essential.
- Photograph all workers and their living-in family.
- Identify and communicate with your community at large.
- Disgruntled workers are very dangerous and account for a large percentage of farm attacks.
- Community Forums:
PLAN, TRAIN, PLAN, EXERCISE with:
- Your Neighbours.
- Your Police.
- Your emergency services.
- Your private Security operators.
- Any other role player identified in your community.
Plan your response to any incident anywhere in your community.
Be Pro-active. Six Police vans at the scene of the crime are a wasted resource.
Identify potential escape routes.
Responders to respond firstly to the identified escape routes and cut off points. CATCH THEM!!
- Attackers / Assailants:
The attackers are prepared and capable, never underestimate them.
They are driven by greed supported by traditional medicine, and our traditional values mean nothing to them.
In most cases the:
- The attack has been well planned.
- There is an execution and escape plan.
- They are in groups of 4 or 6 and are most probably armed.
- They are most probably under the influence of drugs or the Sangoma.
- They display a don’t care savagery – our normal responses do not work on them.
- You are fighting for your life! Once you’re overpowered you have no chance.
- Money and firearms are the most sought-after. Your “self-protection” firearm is a draw-card in itself.
- Beware of careless activities or talk that can spark rumors of cash or other valuables at the farm.
- You are restricted by your own routines, lifestyle and the Law; they have no restrictions!
Sadly, farm security is generally of a poor standard. Farmers are not serious about their own security.
WHAT ?????? Should be done………….
CREATE SPACE AND TIME -BETWEEN YOU AND THEM……
- Technology:
- Technology is advancing so fast that equipment / systems bought and installed today, are already out of date tomorrow.
- Intruder Alarms, CCTV (Motion Detection), Auto- lighting, Communication, Back-up power, Drones, Audio, Electric fencing.
- Use an engineer to scope your needs. With respect, salespeople are driven by commission and not what is best for you.
- Consider all available options, AI and Radio communications are rewriting the spec sheets.
- To buy or lease – include priority maintenance and redundancy in your contract.
- Consider lines of communication and alternate power supply.
- Do you have back-up plan ?
TIME SPENT ON RECCE:
is never wasted…
- Utilise a security expert in the field to conduct a Security Risk Assessment.
- It will never happen to me!!
Too many attacked farmers prove this to be wrong. - It can happen to you; it is a question of when and how.
- Are you going to be aware, prepared and ready?
- There are many WHAT’S to discuss.
- It is up to you to embrace the issue and do what is right to safeguard yourself, your people and your assets.
SECURITY STARTS WITH AWARENESS:
Awareness starts with you!
- Create a safe room in the home. Refreshments, self- defense weapons, communication, contact lists, lighting, fire extinguishers.
- Safeguard all vehicles, tractors etc.
- Secure loading pens and loading ramps etc.
- Mark all (selected) livestock with electronic tracing and or identification.
- Secure outdoor water taps, pipes etc.
- Secure outdoor electricity distribution and junction boxes.
FIREARMS:
- If you draw your weapon; be prepared to shoot – to kill.
- Hesitate, and you’ll lose your weapon. It will be used on you and your family or the next farmer down the road.
- You have a licensed weapon for self-defense, but where is it?
- In the safe? Have your firearm always at the ready.
- Do not kid yourself, It is not easy to shoot someone, but do not fire warning shots!
- The Law is very complex and you can easily end op on the wrong side of the law……….
- Consider non-lethal alternatives, they are just as effective if used correctly.
- A weapon safe is superfluous – a 9mm at your head or a knife at your wife’s throat and you will hand over the keys without hesitation.
- Lodge your safe keys with a third party. The calling of the number sets your pre-planned response team in action and may save the day.
- This week alone two more farmers were overwhelmed in their home and the weapon safe emptied of all money, weapons and ammunition.
- They were lucky to get away with their lives.
How It ?????? Should be done………….
- FAILING TO PLAN…
is planning to fail
- Conduct a detailed security assessment of your farm, your neighbours and the close support community.
- Identify the risks / threats and determine what security / safety measures are required to prevent and or mitigate these.
- Scope the equipment and systems/and accordingly, ensure that there are fit for purpose and will provide the most cost-effective measures / systems possible.
- Physical Security:
- External fence, gates, internal fence, window bars, door gates.
Spanish style burglar bars with external bars cemented into the wall are a good call. - They can also serve as a mounting for screens to protect against petrol bombs.
- Gates are a weak point, keep these to a minimum and reinforce the security related to these.
- Create a double gate, vacuum system, on the gate most often utilised.
- If possible automate the gates so that it is not necessary to exit the vehicle, when entering the farm precinct.
- Electronic support systems:
- Early warning, perimeter breach, intruder alarm systems.
- Communications: Radio system, cell phone system.
- Farm watch organisation, support plans, response plans.
- Panic button (radio system), CCTV auto record (motion detection).
- Lighting: Perimeter lighting, area flood lights, directional lighting, auto activation.
- Have external flood lights linked to the alarm system. Lights that flood the access approach area and other critical areas when activated.
- External flood lights and CCTV cameras to be best located and protected from damage and vandalism.
The most expensive equipment and systems also needs management, deployment and maintenance to be effective.
- Internal Security:
- Dogs: A team of 2 large breakers supported by 2 small yappers. Keep the small dogs inside.
- Internal barrier gates, safe room. Robust gates on all doors and in the passage to the sleeping area.
- Create a safe room where you can take refuge, with radio, first aid, food and water.
- Keep effective and strict control over keys and remote controls.
- Keep laptops and PC’s secure when away and store backup drives off site in a secure location.
- Consider, non-lethal defense, Taser gun, pepper spray etc.
It is easy to end up at the wrong end of the Law, while defending yourself
with lethal force ! - At all times be aware of your surroundings anything that is out of place. Investigate fully.
- When possible call for back-up before venturing out to investigate, even if it seams a trivial event.
- Additional Considerations:
- Prevention is better than reaction to an already occurred incident.
- The crime triangle indicates – Desire | Assets | Opportunity.
- The Desire is there – They Want!
- The Asset is there, we have to use them every day.
- The Opportunity, however, can be denied to the criminal.
- Neutralise the event before it can occur.
- The Farmer has to be vigilant 24/7 – the criminal just waits for the Opportunity and can strike with devastating consequences within a very small-time frame.
- Be aware and alert to – out of place events, out of place items, people and people movement.
- Attitudes and moods expressed by workers, sudden unexplained changes.
- Most attacks are planned – based on information obtained by doing visual recce over a period, information from workers or other local sources.
- Do not be a routine freak, change your routines and keep future plans confidential.
- Communicate with workers on a regular basis, if problems or disputes occur, address them as soon as possible and solve these in good faith and with positive results.
- Arrange with the farm watch to recce your location and accompany you home, particularly if you are arriving back after dark.
- The role of the SAPS
- SAPS – Foster mutual co-operation and support, information and respect for the Law, with the local Police.
- The Rural Strategy, implemented from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018, has not been implemented in all the rural and rural/urban police precincts.
- There was a lack of alignment of inter- and intradepartmental policies identified, which needed to be addressed in a new strategy.
- Inadequate and unsuitable resources (human and logistical), were allocated to police stations without consideration of the infrastructure within these communities, such as poor roads etc.
- Communities are spread out far from police stations, which has impacted on the policing of some of these areas.
- The lack of communication infrastructure, network and advanced technological support and development in rural and rural/urban areas, hampers service delivery which is provided by the SAPS in rural and rural/ urban communities.
- Loss of the commando system – created a operational vacuum in organisational capability, manpower, recourses, and communication.
- Farmers capitulated and the existing systems and plans were abandoned.
- The rural safety plan for SAPS to take over from the commandos was not implemented.
- Statistics:
- More than 95% of all farm attacks and murder incidents still unsolved.
*September 19, 2023
- On average only 1 out of 10 farm attacks is successfully averted.
- 2788 arrests made, 582 weapons and 571 vehicles recovered.
- Only 3% successful prosecutions.
- 83% of victims know the attackers.
- 70% of attackers have a criminal record.
- 90% of dismissed workers, attack within 5 months.
- Conclusion:
Some key aspects to re-cap.
- Loss of the commando system – created a operational vacuum in organisational capability, manpower, recourses, and communication.
- Farmers capitulated and the existing systems and plans were abandoned.
- The rural safety plan for SAPS to take over from the commandos was not implemented.
- Security measures and systems must be managed and maintained to be fit for purpose and effective at all times.
- The irony of firearms – the law regarding possession and use.
- Dispute resolution at the lowest level – resentment breeds hatred.
- Keep records: ID all farm workers and their living-in families, photograph all visitors, record all number plates.
- The right to expect your neighbour to do the right thing!
- PLAN and TRAIN = PLAN and TRAIN = PLAN and TRAIN…
- Scout motto – “be prepared”!
DISCLAIMER !
