19. Juli 2020
Heidi Fourie
Our farms in Barrydale has also been under attack/victimised by criminals. It is not safe anywhere in South Africa anymore. That is the reality. Please be extra aware, lock up in the day time too, and have a plan of action ready to act swiftly and as safely as possible. Have the police number on speed dial.
Since Easter weekend in mid April, we had 6 (six) incidents on this farm where we rent, that justified and required calling the police out. Other insidents did not require a call out. Everyone living on the farm is very grateful for all the assistance and support of our Barrydale police force, and the different forensics teams on every occasion, and thereafter. Thank you! Gratitude.
Since Easter, we had 90 days of repetitive traumatic events on this farm itself. Not to forget this started in level 5 Covid regulations period, thus during curfew, and a 6 month jail offence as from level 5 in March announced. Additional stress and trauma was created with the increase in risk of falling ill or getting invected with the dreaded Covid 19 virus, every insident ,due to criminals entering ones home and place of safety, and a healthy haven. As we know, the police station got closed and disinfected, that only 4 days after 10 officers and sergeants were here in our home. It caused a lot of unnecessary and additional stress in this Covid roller-coaster stressful times we all are living in for everyone here, but especially our police people being so busy with these habitual offenders in town.
Our last insistent was 4:30pm in daytime, we managed to catch one in the act of trying to get in, but they both did manage to get away. Yet clear proof was left behind that clarified immediate identification by authorities, and arrests followed a week later.
Apparently this person is under suspicion at this stage, to have been the cause of many insidents in the tiny village of Barrydale.
We must remember, and so should our President take in consideration …
Adding to crimes that are classified as low risk, like trespassing, housebreaking, theft, burglary, are the crimes of Threat, Duress, Intimidation, Victimisation and Harrasment, Violation, and we all have a Constitutional Right to safety.
Being Traumatised in your own home, being robbed of what one has worked for ethically and honestly, especially under this lock down regulations and a high costly „self – imprisonment“ with being allowed to work or not, by the same president, is definitely not fair, nor just to the people of South Africa, or any country.
Apparently, this case at us, too is a case of someone that got given remission on 16th December 2019 by our President, nearly 14500 people got released because of Youth day celebrations. The president instructed the Correctional services and Parole board to adhere to certain criteria accordingly, including for both remission and parole candidates. The 19000 prisoners given Parole due to Covid 19 in 8 May, has different legalities attached to the remission given in December.
That is +-33 500 criminals released in less than
6 months, and so 33 500 people ‚forced‘ to go freely back into communities, without jobs, without income, food, or some even without homes, no back up plan provided by government.Free, forgiven by government of their past criminal offences to free space up in prisons and celebrate youth day. Free to choose to do the same in communities that are at the same time calling out for safety and justice, calling out for protection for women and children. Additionally the offenders are causing more time, effort, work hours, stress for police, and magistrates, increasing state expenses to catch and prosecute the same people again, and again, and again. The police and justice system too surely must be frustrated after all their hard work to see the same criminals roam the streets freely, with an easy announcement of a „pardon“.
I am heartbroken to hear about this young girl who’s life and future got taken and stolen from her, apparently she got raped and murdered this weekend, by someone also just forgiven his sentence for his previous crime or crimes.
I send my love to everyone that cared and love her.
May the president and government change the laws to protect the people of South Africa better and provide us with security and safety from all criminals.
Please be aware, day and night.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
God bless you all.