Agri SA is
appealing to the presidency to declare a national state of emergency to bring an end to the wave of criminality that has taken root in the country.
“The looting of shops, stoning of cars, blocking of roads, burning of trucks and crops as well as theft of livestock are posing a serious threat to food security in the country,” says Christo van der Rheede, executive director of Agri SA. “South Africa runs the risk of people not being able to buy or access food. This will lead to hunger and starvation on a national scale, which in turn will fuel even more social unrest and mayhem.”
It is clear that criminals have no regard for law and order and that they will loot, destroy and steal non-stop until there is nothing left, says Van der Rheede. “Furthermore, South Africa is a constitutional state, and our constitution places a constitutional obligation on the state to protect its citizens against such criminality.”
A national declaration of a state of emergency must also go hand in hand with the deployment of security personnel in all affected areas. “In addition, we also call on the presidency to ensure that our logistical infrastructure such as our roads, harbours and airports continue to function in order for food to be delivered.”
Van der Rheede urges that innocent civilians will suffer from hunger if criminality continuous unabated and criminals are allowed to ransack shops and hold the country to ransom. “It is clear that the calls to shut down the economy and continuing civil disorder and violence pose a serious threat to all South Africans who are law abiding and who depend on law and order to grow the economy. This is critical to bring about a better life for all of our people.”
For more information:
Christo van der Rheede
Agri SA
Tel.: +27 083 380 3492