Chairperson, I wish to point out that the report by AgriSA never stated that 60 farmers had been murdered, but rather referred to 60 criminal incidences on farms, which include robbery, stock theft, burglary, car thefts, etc. According to available information, as identified as part of the function of weekly crime analysis meetings, from 1 December 2010 to date, there were 12 murders on farms and smallholdings recorded by the SA Police Service.
However, my department takes each and every murder very seriously and government considers rural safety one of its priorities. A comprehensive rural safety strategy to enhance safety and security levels, accessibility to policing and service delivery to rural communities, was recently developed and is in the process of being rolled out to provincial levels. Already, on this scope, we have started with all the stakeholders, including AgriSA, to roll it out in Gauteng province, and we will be going to other provinces as well. A Rural Safety Priority Committee, dealing with rural safety, is functioning at a national level and has representatives from all role- players in the rural and farming communities, including the SA Police Service, farmworkers' unions, organised agriculture, which AgriSA is party to, and other government departments.
As part of our rural safety strategy we are, firstly, improving and enhancing the service delivery at local station level. We have recognised that rural police stations are often isolated and responsible for policing vast areas. To address these problems, we are not only creating more effective and efficient police stations, but also ensuring that the local police work in partnership with both rural communities and other government departments responsible for rural development.
Secondly, we are increasing and improving police visibility in rural areas and response times of police.
Thirdly, we are improving and enhancing relationships between the police, farming communities, stakeholders and extended rural communities. This includes the roll-out and implementation of sector policing in the rural environment. Equally, we are seeking to foster and establish partnerships with rural communities.
Lastly, we are improving safety awareness in rural areas and educating rural communities on safety and security matters. Infrastructural development within the rural environment is essential to ensure equal accessibility to services and service delivery. Our rural safety plan will also support and boost rural development through the implementation of a sustainable safety plan. In supporting both our crime investigations and our crime prevention strategy, we are also improving our crime intelligence and analysis in these areas.
Our rural safety plan also needs to address vulnerable sectors of rural communities including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. As this will be working with the family protection unit, our aim is to ensure our rural safety strategy not only responds to the immediate safety and security needs of the rural community, but also ensures an effective and sustainable policing approach to such communities and areas. We would like to encourage all stakeholders in rural safety to work together in a co-ordinated and integrated manner and engage at all levels in our planning and implementation of the strategy. Thank you.