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South African farmers and farmworkers have had to overcome a series of droughts in recent years, which have crippled many farms and caused widespread consternation.

Then there’s the issue of farm murders, which remains front of mind for many in rural communities across the country, highlighted once again by the murder of Free Stater Brendin Horner, which led to protests in Senekal.

In order to offer more protection to these communities, our government has spoken about a Rural National Safety Plan, and Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza has called an attack on farmers an attack on the country’s food security.

Those words offer precisely zero security or peace of mind, and now communities are taking things into their own hands.

A recent Carte Blanche segment focused on what’s been happening in KwaZulu-Natal:

With 15 recorded murders on KwaZulu-Natal farms in the last year, farmers are coming together to take their safety into their own hands.

Through a community-funded network of cameras, security companies and farming associations, the farmers are equipping themselves to track down farm murderers and bring them to book.

But as the communities step up, Carte Blanche sits down with Premier Sihle Zikalala to ask where government fits into the equation.

Clearly, these communities are long past waiting for a plan from politicians:

[source:carteblanche]