Addressing police officers and the media gathered at Glen College for Agriculture, Mashinini confirmed the lack of rural safety has become a great cause of concern. He said one of the challenges faced by the police in tackling criminal activities in rural areas is the lack of resources.

Mashinini told OFM News that more will be done to ensure the safety of farmers and farming communities. He alluded that more vehicles dedicated to police stations in rural areas can be expected to be purchased by the department before the end of the current financial year. This, after he handed over 48 police vans as part of the rural safety plans to officers in rural areas earlier today.

Mashinini's department is amongst the top three departments that have received the biggest chunk of the provincial budget after Education and Health Departments. He tabled his department's R2.8 billion budget for the 2019/20 fiscal year in the Provincial Legislature this week.

He told OFM News that although they have budget constraints, they will, by all means, prioritise the safety of all people in the province and ensure that the police are trained and provided with the necessary tools of the trade.

He expressed his gratitude to farmers and Agriculture organisations for their efforts in combating crime on farms.

OFM News