Tackling rural crime: Agriculture minister unveils new strategies

The escalating threat of rural crime in South Africa has necessitated a multi-faceted approach.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen revealed key initiatives the department is taking following a parliamentary question by the DA’s Willie Aucamp. 

Aucamp’s query concerned Steenhuisen’s comments to US President Donald Trump and the steps he intended to take to address the crimes.

In the White House, Steenhuisen said South Africa has a rural safety problem, and it requires more policing resources and a different strategy to deal with it. 

Responding to the question, Steenhuisen said the department plays a supporting but essential role in addressing rural crime, particularly stock theft, within the broader framework of cooperative governance. 

“While primary responsibility for crime prevention, including farm murders and stock theft, lies with the South African Police Service (SAPS), our department is actively involved in several key initiatives that contribute to prevention, detection, and deterrence,” Steenhuisen said. 

1. Support to the Rural Safety Strategy via the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC):

“Our department is a participating member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Agriculture and Land Reform. This committee works closely with the SAPS to implement the Rural Safety Strategy, with a strong focus on the protection of farming communities,” Steenhuisen said. 

He said their role in the IMC includes coordinating with law enforcement on risk hotspot identification, supporting crime intelligence through data on livestock ownership and movement, and promoting integrated rural safety plans across the provinces.

2. Animal identification and traceability reforms:

“A core element of curbing stock theft is improving our ability to trace livestock and proving ownership,” Steenhuisen said. 

He said the department is: 

• Finalising the Draft Regulations on Animal Identification (2025) for public comment in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
• Promoting a decentralised animal identification system that enhances traceability, allows tracking at auctions and abattoirs, and empowers local enforcement.
• Introducing biometric and DNA-based technologies to strengthen traceability, including radio frequency identification tags, nose prints, and DNA profiling.
• Strengthening compliance with the Animal Identification Act (Act No. 6 of 2002) and Animal Improvement Act (Act No. 62 of 1998) through education and farmer support.

3. Farmer awareness campaigns:

“We are working jointly with provincial Departments of Agriculture, SAPS, and local municipalities to roll out national farmer engagements,” Steenhuisen said. 

These focus on raising awareness around the legal obligation for animal identification, training farmers on animal improvement and theft prevention, and mobilising rural communities to take a proactive role in joint safety planning and reporting of criminal activity.

4. Research and innovation:

“Our department has invested in research and development to explore innovative approaches for animal identification,” Steenhuisen said. 

He stated that work includes using DNA testing to create a genetic blueprint of individual animals, assessing new technologies for more secure identification and proof of ownership in court, and exploring ways to integrate identification systems with national sanitary controls and food safety protocols.

5. Legislative and institutional strengthening:

“We acknowledge several institutional and legislative challenges that impede the effective enforcement of stock theft laws,” Steenhuisen said. 

He added that these include the centralisation and duplication of animal identification marks, farmer resistance to branding animals, weak monitoring at auctions and abattoirs, and lack of control over informal livestock markets and animal movement across porous borders.

These are addressed by advocating for improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms across the supply chain, collaborating with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to ensure successful prosecution of livestock-related crimes, and supporting proposals for enhanced regulatory oversight of livestock trade.

“Farm attacks and stock theft remain a serious threat to rural safety, food security, and investor confidence in our agricultural sector. While the Department of Agriculture is not the lead enforcement agency, we are actively leveraging our legislative mandate, technical capacity, and collaborative platforms to strengthen prevention mechanisms,” Steenhuisen said. 

“As part of our engagements with international stakeholders, including the United States, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting farmers, ensuring agricultural sustainability, and addressing rural crime in all its forms.”

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za