Farm murders and rural safety take prominence on parliamentary agenda
The debate comes not too long after President Cyril Ramaphosa and a South African delegation visited the US to convince the country that there's no targeting of white farmers, saying the farmers are just victims of high crime.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also used the debate to reiterate its opposition to land expropriation without compensation, saying it threatens investor confidence.
DA member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson Willie Aucamp opened the debate, saying the issue of rural safety cuts to the heart of the country's stability and food security.
"For too long, the brutality of farm attacks as well as the effect that it has on food security have been ignored. But, finally, this house has been forced to confront the truth."
But the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's Andile Mngxitama says the commercial agriculture sector is still oppressive towards black people, who he says suffer the most on farms.
"The commercial agricultural sector remains the bastion of naked racism and systemic violence against black people. The oppressive relations inherited from the past continue in democratic South Africa."
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