REACTION to our special issue, APN No 221, on the ongoing, often ferociously brutal, murders of SA commercial farmers has been mixed. A number of agricultural unions across the country have bought bulk supplies for distribution to their members. The issue, I am told, was given considerable attention on German TV. Anglican priests in the UK have promised their support in getting the information out. Several US agricultural journals have asked for extended details and photographs. A number of friends have sent generous cheques, asking that we send copies to leading US and UK political figures . . . and the Royal family.

Perhaps most significantly I have had a message from a prominent Black spokesman, saying: "You are right. It is political. I am certain that sooner or later you will see the ANC/SACP follow Mugabe’s example and decree that all land held by absentee landlords be expropriated. They couldn’t be more absentee if they are dead."

That’s the one side. On the other, this issue has brought us a number of subscription cancellations. One woman faxed: "You used to be very funny. Now you are just frightening." That shook me. I’ve never pretended to be selling sunshine. How could you be funny about some 600 farmers horribly murdered, not to mention their families, workers and animals? I suppose it all depends on your point of view.

Another disturbing reaction came from a British MP to whom I had sent a copy. He tells me he raised the matter with a member of the SA Embassy staff he met at a cocktail party. Apart from being treated to some very unflattering observations about yours truly, he was later sent a copy of the Suiker Brits report, a real bromide, superficial and tacky.

This stated, quite unambiguously: "Irrefutable evidence exists that the motive for approximately 99% of the attacks on farms and smallholdings is common criminality, with robbery serving as the primary incentive. A majority of the community, who choose to believe unsubstantiated reports and allegations, may not accept that attacks on farms and smallholdings have very little to do with obvious political, land claims or sinister forces. The attacks are not politically motivated. Irresponsible comment by various individuals and organisations may unfortunately politicise an already unsound situation."

Their conclusions were based on a re-evaluation of police dockets dealing with farm attacks, an analysis of media reports and covert intelligence investigations in areas where certain of the attacks occurred. It is a bona fide intelligence report. In principle it confirms APN’s conclusion. We quote:

"The sense of security in the close-knit farming communities is aggravated by the almost daily incidence of serious crimes like murder, robbery, assault, torture and rape. The strong criminal nature of the attacks is strengthening a broad perception . . . that crime in SA is out of control. The geographic distribution of the attacks indicates that the entire country is affected. The nature of the attacks is often vicious and deadly, has a strong emotional impact and increases anger at the seeming inability to prevent the occurrence of these attacks.

"Many of the attacks on farmers seem to be of an extremely brutal nature, involving torture and rape of victims, suggesting that the attackers do not merely intend to kill the victims, but instead to inflict pain, humiliation and suffering, especially on elderly people, without sparing women and children. This may be an indication that the attacks are linked to racial hatred, retribution and/or sheer terrorism.

"The effect of crimes against members of the farming communities is further enhanced by the fact that most South Africans have their roots in the rural areas of the country and are still connected to these areas by family and other ties, as well as bonds of sentiment.

"Attacks are often well planned, with the approach, the attack itself and the get-away seemingly planned beforehand. Some of the attacks seem to be carried out with military precision and victims are also in some cases ambushed. The perpetrators in many cases seem to be unknown to the victims, despite apparently having a good knowledge of the farm routine, the family and their activities.