MEC Shongwe to surprise an abusive Kinross farm owner

Media Statement
10 November 2010

Att: Journalists News Editors

An angry Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe will tomorrow visit the victims of abuse by a Winkelhaak Farm owner, 3km outside Kinross.

On a number of occasions, the farm owner has violated basic human rights of the farm dwellers, which has now received the attention of the MEC through a complaint forwarded to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.

According to a complaint, a woman lost her child as she was giving birth because the farm owner blatantly denied access to an ambulance to enter the premises to provide medical assistance.

After daring their lives by eagerly entering the farm, the paramedics found the baby already dead; however they managed to save the life of a mother by cutting off the umbilical cord to separate the woman from her dead baby.

The complaint further states that the farm dwellers are forced to drink water from a dam with animals as the farm owner have denied them access to clean drinking water. They no longer have access to electricity as it is alleged that he told them that they now owed him huge amounts of money.

The farm dwellers had been residing on the farm since 1986 and other 12 families have already left following the gruesome living conditions imposed by the farm owner.

It is understood that the farm owner’s behaviour has transgressed a three-year court order he received for violating human rights of other people.

The MEC will be accompanied by Kinross Station Commander.

The MEC’s visit has been planned as follows:

The media is invited and can converge at Kinross Police station before the visit.

Issued by Mpumalanga Department for Safety, Security and Liaison

Enquiries: Zibonele Mncwango
Contacts: (013) 766-4018
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