Safety Tips for Farmers Ahead of the Festive Season

In the run-up to the festive season, it is essential for farmers to pay attention to their safety plan, as well as their involvement in a safety structure in their area.

A survey by FSA conducted among farming communities in January 2023 after the festive season, showed that the following crimes were problematic during December 2022. This may therefore also apply in the upcoming festive season:

• Theft of :
  • Copper / power cables from Transnet / Eskom as well as pivots;
  • Cell phone tower batteries;
  • Solar panels and solar pumps;
  • Seeds, fertilizers; diesel, plants;
• Burglary at residences and / or warehouses;
• Livestock theft – it was determined that this type of crime accounted for 66% of all crimes;
• Farm attacks also tend to increase during the festive season.

Taking the above into account, farmers are requested to go through their safety checklist again, pass on information regarding suspicious movement of persons and vehicles to the safety representative of the farmers’ association and the Rural Safety coordinator of the SAPS, as well as to make sure that their communication networks are in place especially in relation to radios and mobile phones.