The Kimberley Prospector

In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, a 1-year-old boy lost his life after being shot with a shotgun during a horrifying farm attack in the Welbekend area, just east of Pretoria. The attack took place on Saturday, 7 October, at approximately 13:00, when a group of five armed assailants forcibly entered the boy’s family home while his mother was present.

According to eyewitness accounts, the mother bravely attempted to protect her child and valiantly rushed him to the car, hoping to urgently transport him to a hospital. However, tragically, the young boy succumbed to his injuries before reaching medical assistance.

The audacity and brutality demonstrated by the attackers in this incident are profoundly distressing. It is alarming to note that the mainstream South African media took two whole days to report on this horrific event, despite the news spreading on social media. Such a lackadaisical response raises concerns regarding the media’s commitment to addressing farm murders, even when the victims include innocent children.

Theo de Jager, a prominent figure on social media, has highlighted this incident as another farm attack, illustrating a pattern of these violent crimes in the Bapsfontein district, located in Gauteng, east of Pretoria. Five assailants, driving two unidentified utility vehicles, targeted this vulnerable family, resulting in a child losing his life in the most senseless and heart-wrenching manner.

The theft of phones, laptops, and other personal belongings during the attack signifies the apparent motive of these high-risk, low-gain robberies in rural areas. It is disconcerting to witness the frequency with which these attacks occur, ultimately leading to the categorization of them as acts of genocide. The implication is that these violent actions may not be driven solely by financial gain but instead reflect a more insidious motive.

While the South African government and law enforcement agencies are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, it appears that little has been done to prevent such atrocities. Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, has become known for ineffectual leadership and a lack of decisive action. The absence of a media statement from the police regarding this heinous crime only serves to deepen concerns about the efficacy of their investigation.

It is with great dismay that we witness the state’s failure to adequately protect those residing in rural areas, where the threat of violence and crime often looms large. The government must urgently address these deficiencies and devise concrete measures to safeguard the lives of innocent individuals.

While we mourn the tragic loss of a young life, we also demand that the South African media shed its blindness to the farm murders plaguing our nation. By raising awareness and remaining vigilant, we can strive for justice and a safer future for all our citizens, regardless of their geographical location.