The Democratic Alliance in Louis Trichardt this week expressed shock at the ongoing attacks on and killing of white people on farms and in towns.

It urgently called on Government to show appropriate sensitivity and responsibility in protecting all citizens against “this evil act of barbarism”. The political phasing out of the Commando System, without effectively replacing it, as promised, is being criticised severely.

The DA Provincial spokesperson for Safety and Security, Mr Timothy Maanda (MPL), reacted after this week’s shooting of a local business couple, several days after another prominent businessman in the town was assassinated in a similar incident.

In a press release, the DA strongly condemns the senseless killings and attacks currently taking place.

“Every week, members of the white community are either killed or attacked by faceless people. As DA, we find it extremely strange that even the first citizen of Makhado is always silent on these activities.

“The local SAPS in Makhado need to explain to the community and clarify these issues. How many cases related to farm attacks have already been finalized between 2001 and 2006? How many are still pending? What interventions are the local SAPS making? What programmes are in place to address this atrocious situation?

“The DA strongly believes that all citizens, irrespective of colour, have the right to life and protection as enshrined in the Constitution. The killings that took place at Levubu, Vivo, Alldays and Waterpoort in the Makhado municipal area are cause for very serious concern.”

“Recent farm attacks and the killing of innocent people between February and April 17 are typical signs that police officers are not doing enough to protect citizens.

“The political phasing out of the exceptionally functional Commando system is beginning to show exactly how bad this political planning was,” reads the statement.

The DA called on the national and provincial government to intervene immediately in an untenable situation.

Mr Jacques Smalle, local member of the DA executive, earlier in a letter expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences with family, friends and acquaintances of the recent victims of the ongoing wave of terror against white people in the Makhado community. He demanded that both the national and provincial governments supply the necessary protection and infrastructure to safeguard the local residents.

“We are shocked by the number and frequency of violent and barbaric attacks on white residents in the Louis Trichardt community.

“How long still before the local police units start operating as one to share sensitive information with each other?

“Citizen Force units were taken away and in its place the police were supposed to get appropriate alternative safeguards in place. Where are they now?

“It is time for the Louis Trichardt community to make a stand in favour of better quality protection as envisaged in the South African Constitution.

“What happened to the Mountain View murder case and the Vivo and Levubu murders? How much longer must the community wait for appropriate answers to their many questions and before the guilty criminals are brought to book? Where are our new ANC councillors’ concern about and involvement in the present desperate plight of our community?” Smalle asked.