New AfriForum Report Reveals Torture Patterns in 47 Farm Attacks Across South Africa
- AfriForum examined 47 farm and smallholding attacks between 2019 and 2025 in a new report on violence during farm attacks
- The report found recurring patterns of physical and psychological torture used to force victims to hand over money, firearms and safe keys
- AfriForum is calling on government and the Hawks to classify farm attacks as a priority crime requiring specialised investigations
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SOUTH AFRICA — AfriForum has published a detailed report documenting patterns of extreme violence in farm attacks, arguing that victims are routinely subjected to torture before or after being robbed.
The civil rights organisation's report, titled 'More than robbery: Violence during attacks on farms and smallholdings in South Africa', was released on Wednesday. It analysed 47 farm and smallholding attacks recorded between 2019 and 2025, drawing on media reports, court records, police accounts and direct testimony from victims, relatives and first responders.
Victims subjected to torture for access to valuables
The report identified a consistent pattern in which attackers used fear and physical pain to coerce victims into revealing the location of money, firearms and safe combinations.
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One case examined involved farmer Hayden Luck and four of his employees at Mooiplaas, outside East London, in February 2024. Suspects allegedly posed as prospective dog buyers before overpowering Luck and employee Bongani Yekani. Luck was bound, brought into the farmhouse and beaten while attackers demanded cash and access to an ammunition safe.
The report also detailed the June 2023 murders of Pierre and Belinda de Kock on their farm near Velddrif in the Western Cape. The couple was allegedly compelled to transfer R230,000 into bank accounts linked to their attackers before being killed. One suspect was subsequently convicted.
Elderly couple murdered after forced bank transfer
A separate case involved Christo and Christa Morrison, aged 76 and 73 respectively, who were murdered on their Free State farm in May 2024. Christa was reportedly forced to transfer R118,000 before she was killed. Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gloria Gusha, who presided over the case, stated that viewing photographic evidence from the scene was extremely difficult and that no person deserved to be attacked and murdered in such a manner.
Farm workers also targeted
AfriForum emphasised that farm owners were not the sole targets. Workers, security personnel and family members were equally at risk. The 2021 attack on 77-year-old farm foreman Simon Makhotha near Zastron was cited, where attackers allegedly assaulted and stabbed him before attempting to drown him. Another 2021 incident near Ogies saw a family held hostage by suspects who had posed as people seeking accommodation.
AfriForum launched a public petition the day before the report's release, urging the government and the Hawks to designate farm attacks as a priority crime warranting dedicated investigative resources.
Farm attack vicitms to set up 3000 crosses in the US
Previously, Briefly News reported that three survivors and bereaved family members of South African farm attacks will address an international audience in Washington, DC on 25 and 26 September 2026, as part of the White Cross Project programme organised by the Pretoria-based think tank and advocacy group Lex Libertas. Amanda Platt, Heidie Taljaard and Leon Lotz will each give testimony before joining a vigil the following day on the National Mall, where 3 000 white crosses will be erected to commemorate those killed in farm attacks across South Africa.
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Source: Briefly News
