Free State farmers at a loss over increasing maize theft

Farmers in the Free State are at a loss with the increasing theft of maize that occurs in various parts of the province.

Rudi Jansen van Vuuren, safety representative of Free State Agriculture (FSA) in the Allanridge/Odendaalsrus area, says that in their area there is definitely an increase in the type of theft compared to previous years. He says that some farmers spend as much as R200 000 on security guards to guard fields, but even this action does not always deter the criminals.

“Worrying are the large numbers of criminals who strike the fields. We have had cases where taxis drop off five groups of between eight and fifteen people and pick them up again. The criminals simply overpower the security guard, steal the equipment with which the guard has to communicate and even threaten the farmers.” Janse van Vuuren further says that in some of the cases the security guards themselves are also involved in the theft. “Certain guards have already been dismissed from service as farmers notice their involvement. In most of the cases, farmers did report that the guards are a big expense but that they do help to limit the impact of this type of theft.”.

Dr Jane Buys, Safety risk analyst of FSA, says that there are also other parts of the province that are affected by this crime. Reported areas affected during March and April 2024 are, among others, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Bothaville, Bultfontein, Clocolan, Fouriesburg, Jacobsdal, Koppies, Odendaalsrus, Reitz, Sasolburg/Zamdela (especially in the Wolwehoek area), Villiers and Wesselsbron. Buys says that according to information, farms in the Fouriesburg area are targeted by Basothos who operate from Lesotho. “They steal corn in sacks, put it on donkeys’ backs and then move across the border like that. Where farmers confront them, they run away and the donkeys and corn are recovered. These types of incidents usually take place during the night.”

Buys adds that in many cases, however, few arrests take place. “If arrests do take place, it would seem as if burden of proof is a big problem and cases are thrown out in the courts. Farmers are extremely frustrated. They have to drive patrols during the night and often the criminals are armed, which poses a great safety risk for them”.

“Major interventions by the farming community in collaboration with the SAPS and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are needed to effectively address this type of crime. The impact and extent of the type of crime in the area indicates that the crime is taking place in an organized manner and that it should be classified as an organized crime and investigated by both the SAPS and NPA.” 

Free State Agriculture will assist the farming communities in setting up and facilitating the intervention discussions.