Farming communities face a growing threat in WCape

Crime is not confined to the Cape Flats as rural and farming communities face a growing threat 07 September 2026 The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is deeply concerned by two separate incidents targeting farmers and residents in the Cape Winelands over the weekend. These attacks demonstrate that crime in the Western Cape is not isolated to the Cape Flats, but is increasingly affecting communities across the province, including our rural and farming communities. On Friday night, two residents, aged 60 and 56, were attacked in their home on a farm along the Bottelary Road between Brackenfell and Stellenbosch. The victims were reportedly tied up while the perpetrators ransacked the property and made off with jewellery, cellphones and laptops. In a separate incident the Sunday morning, suspects allegedly attempted to rob victims at another property in the area. Fortunately, the suspects were spotted before they could gain entry and were scared off. These incidents are deeply concerning. For people living and working on farms, their homes are not only places of residence but are often isolated properties where help can be some distance away. Criminals exploiting this vulnerability must face the full might of the law. According to figures, 14% of farm murders recorded in July 2026 occurred in the Western Cape, while 133 attacks on farmers have been recorded to date. These figures should serve as a wake-up call to national government and law-enforcement authorities. Benedicta van Minnen, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety said: 'The latest incidents also reinforce the need to recognise that crime is a province-wide challenge. While the Cape Flats continues to experience an unacceptable level of violent crime, we cannot allow the focus on particular crime hotspots to create the impression that other communities are safe.' Crime does not respect municipal boundaries, political boundaries or geographical assumptions. Our response must therefore be equally comprehensive. Statement issued by Benedicta van Minnen MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, 7 September 2026