Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) attended the appearance at Moogkopong Magistrate’s court of the three accused arrested for the murder of Mr Alwyn van Zyl on 20 March 2020 at Bad se Loop.
During se same attack, Mrs van Zyl was assaulted and sustained serious injuries.
The increase in farm attacks and murders need serious attention from government.
The DA launched the court watching briefs in during July 2020 to ensure that justice is served and that those who are found guilty of murder are dealt with harshly.
During August 2020 there were two farm attacks in Limpopo: the Joubert farm attack near Dendron on 5 August and on 16 August a farmer outside Mokopane shot and wounded a suspect after he was attacked by 4 suspects. The wounded suspect was arrested.
During the last 10 days the DA in Limpopo also conducted watching briefs at the Morebeng and Polokwane Magistrates’ courts for the attack on the Jouberts near Dendron and for the Christine Robinson murder at the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s court.
A watching brief can and should do the following:
- Monitor police conduct;
- Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service;
- Promote good relations between the police and the community; and
- Liaise with the Shadow Cabinet member responsible for policing or prosecutions with relation to all farm attacks in our province.
The three accused appeared in the Mookgopong Magistrate’s court today for trail but the case was postponed to 7 October 2020 for medical reasons upon request of accused number two.
The DA will keep attending court cases to ensure that justice is served for all those who were victims of farm attacks because farmers and farmworkers have the right to feel safe where they live and work.