Funding for farming communities to combat crime

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"It remains an enormous task to resolve the crime problem and we hope that with the financial assistance of the Trust Fund a contribution is made to create a safer environment for these communities," said Japie Grobler, chairman of the Agri Securitas Trust Fund.

The Trust Fund focuses mainly on improving the rural security situation. Support is provided in the form of equipment to farming communities after their requests had been evaluated by provincial organisations and approved by the Board of Trustees. With this assistance, the Trust Fund promotes the preparedness of these areas as well as proactively combatting crime.

Increase in request for support

With the cameras on strategic access routes, vehicle movement can be monitored and appropriate action taken to apprehend criminals. Given the increase in farm crime in the Free State and the assistance that members of Free State Agriculture require to address crime-related complaints, there is an increasing amount of pressure on this organisation's security desk to meet expectations. The Trust Fund has in this case allocated funds to support the activities of the security desk.

Requests for support have recently increased. Feedback indicated that appropriate support makes a difference to the safety of these communities. Farmers and farm workers play an indispensable role as contributors to the economy of the country and to adequate food provision. For this reason the Trust Fund will continue to assist farming communities to create a safer environment for themselves.

The Trust Fund acknowledges its business partners, namely Vodacom, Nissan SA, Sanlam and CrisisOnCall, as well as its golf day sponsors GWK, Senwes, NWK and OFM, which make financial contributions in support of the Trust Fund's objectives.