Agri Western Cape on Thursday backed a rural safety plan presented to them at a meeting with Premier Alan Winde and Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The provincial government committed to the establishment of an inter-ministerial team.
Heads of the Department of Agriculture and Community Safety will work together to establish the terms of reference by the end of the month.
The team is expected to report back to the provincial cabinet.
Agri Western Cape chief executive Jannie Strydom said the organisation appreciated that rural safety was being prioritised.
Meyer said: “People should not live in fear. Farmers cannot farm if they and their employees are constantly having to look over their shoulders.”
Premier Alan Winde said he would continue to raise matters with the police, pursue intergovernmental disputes with Police Minister Bheki Cele, and raise issues of crime and safety at all levels of government.
“Our urgent need is for a strong and professional police service, and an effective criminal justice system.”
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