AfriForum records 184 farm attacks in 2025 as report warns violence levels remain dangerously high
AfriForum counted 184 farm attacks and 29 murders in 2025 - attacks up on 2024 - with Gauteng worst hit and over half of victims aged 61 or older.
AfriForum's 2025 farm attack report records 184 farm attacks and 29 farm murders in 2025, against 176 attacks and 37 murders in 2024, The Citizen reported in April 2026.
36% of the 2025 attacks were classified as serious violent acts carrying a substantial risk of death. More than 54% of victims were aged 61 and older, according to the report.
Gauteng recorded the most attacks (50) and the most murders (7); Mpumalanga had 26 attacks, North West 25 and the Western Cape 25. Limpopo had the highest murder-to-attack ratio, with 5 murder incidents in 16 attacks.
AfriForum is calling on the Hawks to classify farm attacks as priority crimes.
TLU SA chair Bennie van Zyl said the organisation feels great discomfort with the political will to combat crime, citing daily headlines linking senior police officers to corruption or fraud.
"The brutality seen confirms that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes and must be dealt with accordingly," said Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum spokesperson for community safety.
Source: The Citizen, 23 April 2026 - citizen.co.za
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