Farm

Farm

Stand by your rights as owner of your farm. Strangers entering the farm or visiting labourers should first obtain your permission. Liaise with your local SAPS or Agricultural Union station on what the Law allows you to do and how you must apply this on your farm.

  1. Farm Labourers
  2. Establish good relationships with workers.
  3. Keep copies of all ID documents of labourers.
  4. Encourage all workers to be alert on security matters and to report all crime.
  5. Remunerate your workers for useful hints and information.
  6. Consider the organising of workers in a type of farm watch system and, with the co-operation of the Security Forces, provide them with relevant training.

Some Practical Strategies Recommended by SAPS

  • Do not allow anybody on your farmyard or in your house without having properly identified them, especially at night.
  • All implements which could be used as weapons should be kept locked away when not in use.
  • Remove keys from all vehicles when not in use.
  • When you leave the house, make it a habit to inform your family of your intended destination, the route and when you intend returning.
  • Test your telephone regularly to ensure that it is in working condition. Have the telephone installed in a place that is easily accessible from anywhere in the house, and that is not vulnerable to gunfire directed at or through windows. Make certain that alternative communication is always available.
  • Keep tight control over your keys to prevent duplication.
  • Always keep a torch at hand during the night and when using a torch make sure that it does not disclose your position.
  • Take precautions against theft of fuel and supplies.
  • Vary your daily routine.
  • Make a habit not to go to sleep immediately after switching off the lights at night. Remain awake for a while. Don’t sleep in a place where you are visible from the outside.
  • Don’t stand in front of windows when opening and closing curtains. Move with the curtain so as not to present yourself as a target.
  • Take photographs and fingerprints of all employees. Even if these are not used, they are a good deterrent.
  • Regular target practice on the farm (within the safety measures naturally) is also a good deterrent to any would-be criminal.
  • Inform your children of the correct procedure when answering the telephone as well as avoiding conversation with strangers or accepting presents from strangers.
  • Think – do not panic. Control is your first line of defence.
  • Assess the situation – is there someone close-by? Make as much noise as possible.
  • It is not recommended that you resist an attacker unless it will enable you to escape AT THAT MOMENT.
  • Should you instinctively resist, do not hold back. You must injure your attacker. Immobilise your attacker by means of self-defence techniques until help arrives or you are able to escape.
  • If it is not possible to resist, concentrate on identification marks. Take note of the attacker’s age, height, hair colour, eyes, scars, other obvious physical features, clothing, speech and patterns of behaviour.
  • Try to leave as much proof as possible around the scene of the attack such as fingerprints, handkerchiefs, jewellery or any other form of identification.
  • Potential victims have escaped attack by engaging in effective communication with their attackers (talking your way out