Farmer's grim prediction comes true: Murdered amid land grab dispute

Stefan Smit, the owner of Louisenhof Wine Estates in Stellenbosch, fell victim to a farm murder over the weekend. Smit had made headlines after his property was threatened by land grabs, saying that he had received death threats related to the debacle.

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Stefan Smit has been murdered after going public with his land grab dispute in which squatters had begun erecting shacks on his Stellenbosch farm.

The South African reports that Smit had gained a national profile after an interview with the New York Times, speaking out about the threat to his property.

The wine merchant had complained about how residents from a nearby township had made a part of his land their home.

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Smit had the Red Ants dismantle a few of the shacks, but the squatters had returned, unfazed by his efforts.

During his interview, Smit had predicted his unfortunate future, should an end not be put to the issue:

“I, personally, can’t breathe here. They are bringing people down here like fodder. I have never spoken to the people myself, not directly. You don’t do that. It’s not un-dangerous. It’s not advisable. I have received threats before, where they said they would burn me alive.”

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Source: Briefly News