Parliament, Thursday, 23 October 2025 – The Select Committee on Security and Justice held a successful public engagement session at the Ficksburg Town Hall in Clarens, where residents, including farmers, spoke about the challenges affecting the agricultural sector, including the growing incidents of stock theft and cross-border crimes.
In outlining the purpose of the engagement, the Chairperson of the committee, Inkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana, said the session aimed to provide a platform for the residents to express their concerns and contribute to finding sustainable solutions on stock theft, rural safety and South African Police Service (SAPS) service delivery.
Residents embraced the opportunity and meaningfully participated in the session on all the issues confronting them. The session was attended by residents, representatives of organisations such as Agri-South Africa (Agri-SA), Free State Agriculture and small scale farmers. SAPS, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Setsoto District Municipality were present to respond to issues raised.
Residents called for the effective implementation of the National Rural Safety Strategy at all levels, particularly at police station level, and for sufficient resources to be allocated to safeguard rural communities and prioritise food security. They urged that both SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and BMA be adequately resourced to effectively address cross-border criminality and ensure the safety of farming communities.
The farming community further proposed the strengthening of SAPS stock theft units through, increasing the number of trained and skilled detectives; expanding vehicle fleets and mobility resources; integrating technology to enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities; and imposing heavier sentences for livestock-related crimes.
Residents also called for greater SAPS capacity in rural areas, recommending the appointment of dedicated rural safety coordinators at rural police stations, equipped with dedicated vehicles and clear job descriptions focused solely on rural safety. They proposed the deployment of dedicated crime intelligence resources to rural areas to enhance proactive threat detection, support targeted policing operations and improve the overall effectiveness of crime prevention strategies.
On the issue of cross-border crimes, residents emphasised the need for increased patrols, improved mobility and the allocation of additional resources to secure vulnerable border regions and disrupt illicit activities. They further proposed the establishment of area reaction teams at strategic points for quick response to emerging security threats.
In addition, the community appealed for the finalisation of overdue legislation, including the Pounds Act and the Controlled Animal Bill, to strengthen regulatory compliance on stock theft and stray animals. They also called for stricter regulation of auctions, abattoirs and speculators to curb livestock-related crimes.
As part of the responses, the Free State Regional Commissioner undertook to deploy additional SAPS personnel to address concerns of the Ficksburg community.
The committee thanked residents and stakeholders for their active participation and commitment to finding solutions to the challenges facing farming communities. Chairperson Nonkonyana assured the community that all issues raised would be tabled before the National Council of Provinces for further consideration.
Prior to the community engagement, the committee received an extensive briefing from the BMA on its operations along the border with Lesotho, incorporating all ports of entry in the region. This was followed by an oversight site visit to the Maseru Bridge Border Post, where committee members assessed the effectiveness of border control measures and coordination between law enforcement agencies in curbing cross-border criminal activities.
Further details of the committee’s oversight programme are as follows:
Thursday, 23 October 2025
Venue: Phuthaditjhaba, Department of Home Affairs office
09:00 Welcome and introductions
09:30 Briefing on the operations and challenges in serving the community
Committee discussion
11:00 – 12:00 Site visit of DHA office and operations
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court: Welcome and Introductions
13:30 Briefing on the successes and challenges to the effective functioning of the courts
14:00 Committee discussion
16:00 Site visit of court facility
17:00 Travel to Harrismith, Intabazwe Satellite Police Station
18:00 Inspection of Intabazwe Satellite Police Station
Friday, 24 October 2025
Venue: Harrismith police station
08:15 Welcome and introductions
08:30 Briefing on the station upgrades and service delivery to the area
09:00 CPFs briefing on cooperation with police and challenges
09:15 Inspection of the facility
10:30 Travel to Harrismith Magistrates Court
11:00 Harrismith Magistrates Court: Welcome and Introductions
12:30 Committee discussion (working lunch)
13:30 Site visit of court facility
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE, INKOSI MWELO NONKOYANA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the acting Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malentsoe Magwagwa (Ms)
Cell: 081 716 5824
Email: mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
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