Farm Attacks

KZN Midlands farming community reeling in shock, fear after brutal murder of ‘kind, down-to-earth’ farm manager​

Neighbours of murdered Indezi Valley resident Mike Pryor have described him as a kind-hearted and gentle man and say his brutal killing has left them shocked.

Pryor, a farm manager from Kwa Heri Farm in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was found burnt beyond recognition inside a vehicle at a grazing farm near Mpophomeni on Sunday morning. According to police, Pryor was abducted from his home prior to his death.
UMngeni Municipality (Howick) deputy mayor Sandile Mnikathi offered condolences on behalf of the municipality earlier this week.

Neighbours, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, told The Mercury on Tuesday that Pryor lived alone.
One neighbour said she last saw Pryor when he delivered bales to her property not long before his murder.
“It’s very emotional for me. He offloaded very quickly because there were only three bales, and then he went back to the farm.”
She said Pryor had been expected to return later to collect payment, but when they called him later, they could not reach him.
Describing Pryor, the neighbour said: “He was the most kind and gentle person. He had been injured in a truck accident, so he had to walk with a stick. He was always respectful to everyone.”
She added that Pryor was single and lived alone with his dogs. “He loved his dogs, and they were always with him,” she said.

Another nearby farmer said the killing had left residents deeply unsettled.
“We are all hyper aware of security, like all South Africans. However, we live in places that are often some distance from our neighbours or security services,” she said.
“The nature of our work also means that we are vulnerable to the outbursts of evil people. Mike may have been tortured all day without anyone hearing or noticing. It was only when his dog was found wandering unusually far that a neighbour realised that there was something wrong.”

The farmer said the broader emotional and practical impact of such killings is often overlooked. “The folks who were first responders, the friends who have to take care of animals left behind, the family that will have to clean up a home that reminds them of the violence, those are the people who live with the aftermath,” she said.


A third neighbour said Pryor had called him days before his death. “He phoned me on Wednesday to say his electricity had been switched off,” he said.
“He was living alone, and that made him an easy target. He was a wonderful man, very friendly and down-to-earth.”
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him. He was brutally murdered and burned. It’s a horrific thing to happen to anyone,” the farmer said.
“We’ve been living with fear for years. Every farmer knows that as soon as the lights go out, you have to be on your guard.”
The farmer added that safety concerns in the area were nothing new. “Concerns have existed for the last ten years due to previous killings. The fear never goes away,” he said.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Pryor’s body was discovered inside a burnt-out vehicle after officers responded to reports of a fire. “On-scene investigation uncovered the identity of the vehicle owner, and it was then established that the owner of the vehicle was reported kidnapped,” he said.

The motive for the killing remains unknown. Police investigations continue.
Click to expand...
 
wingnut771 said:
If I was a farmer I would have a blimp with flir camera tethered over the property.
Click to expand...
Not everyone can afford that type of layered security unfortunately, and the FLIR or thermal cameras aren't going to do diddly squat if no one is monitoring them and have some sort of an alarm or early warning system.
 
wingnut771 said:
If I was a farmer I would have a blimp with flir camera tethered over the property.
Click to expand...
i'm inclined to think the law needs a little adjusting.

for example, a perimeter fence set about 500m from the farmhouse / accommodation area - properly gated and secured.
any breach / forceful entry is a declaration of "open season" - farm owner / staff can then open fire at will against those who forced entry
 
Grant said:
i'm inclined to think the law needs a little adjusting.

for example, a perimeter fence set about 500m from the farmhouse / accommodation area - properly gated and secured.
any breach / forceful entry is a declaration of "open season" - farm owner / staff can then open fire at will against those who forced entry
Click to expand...

During CovID, the finest and bravest of South Africa tried getting to this lady. Her hubby was in hospital with CovID at the time.

 
NoStepOnSnek88 said:
Not everyone can afford that type of layered security unfortunately, and the FLIR or thermal cameras aren't going to do diddly squat if no one is monitoring them and have some sort of an alarm or early warning system.
Click to expand...
Yes there is AI monitoring it and will alert one to movement in the safe zone.
 
Düber said:
Never mind the cost...
Click to expand...
perhaps its time the farming community / organisations brought in some high end tax law firms, accountants, actuaries etc - the very top tier professionals.

let them figure inventive ways and means to offset all manner of security systems, equipment, large scale armed response - whatever it may take - to be offset / tax deductible "costs of business" - exponentially more avenues of tax deductions - inventive & creative mechanisms .

sars is particularly sensitive and responsive to threat of income.
maybe sars gets restless and weighs in on govt security services.

picture the scenario:
25 000 farms
gross annual income @ R5m each
business costs @ R5.1m each
"sorry sars, nothing for you this year"
 
Grant said:
perhaps its time the farming community / organisations brought in some high end tax law firms, accountants, actuaries etc - the very top tier professionals.

let them figure inventive ways and means to offset all manner of security systems, equipment, large scale armed response - whatever it may take - to be offset / tax deductible "costs of business" - exponentially more avenues of tax deductions - inventive & creative mechanisms .

sars is particularly sensitive and responsive to threat of income.
maybe sars gets restless and weighs in on govt security services.

picture the scenario:
25 000 farms
gross annual income @ R5m each
business costs @ R5.1m each
"sorry sars, nothing for you this year"
Click to expand...
Isn't that what takealot does?
 
Grant said:
perhaps its time the farming community / organisations brought in some high end tax law firms, accountants, actuaries etc - the very top tier professionals.

let them figure inventive ways and means to offset all manner of security systems, equipment, large scale armed response - whatever it may take - to be offset / tax deductible "costs of business" - exponentially more avenues of tax deductions - inventive & creative mechanisms .

sars is particularly sensitive and responsive to threat of income.
maybe sars gets restless and weighs in on govt security services.

picture the scenario:
25 000 farms
gross annual income @ R5m each
business costs @ R5.1m each
"sorry sars, nothing for you this year"
Click to expand...
I think this is one of the long time attractions of "farming"; limiting exposure to SARS and enjoying the lifestyle. In the area I know security is big business and the only way to operate relatively safely. The security firms used are well known, have good contacts in SAPS and properties secured by them are generally safe. Read between the lines.
 
Oldfut said:
I think this is one of the long time attractions of "farming"; limiting exposure to SARS and enjoying the lifestyle. In the area I know security is big business and the only way to operate relatively safely. The security firms used are well known, have good contacts in SAPS and properties secured by them are generally safe. Read between the lines.
Click to expand...
i'm in the dark as much as farming is concerned.
i would imagine the lifestyle is a massive win.

putting my glasses on and squinting at the page, i seem to be seeing something squeezed between the lines.
cant read it all, but it would suggest a healthy relationship with local saps is imperative - healthy relationship as in considering them members of the community - not just a service provider.
layered on that is private security services - both, as members of "the family".

am i seeing correctly, or should i nip off for an eye test ?
 
Grant said:
i'm in the dark as much as farming is concerned.
i would imagine the lifestyle is a massive win.

putting my glasses on and squinting at the page, i seem to be seeing something squeezed between the lines.
cant read it all, but it would suggest a healthy relationship with local saps is imperative - healthy relationship as in considering them members of the community - not just a service provider.
layered on that is private security services - both, as members of "the family".

am i seeing correctly, or should i nip off for an eye test ?
Click to expand...

It sounds a bit like 'mafia' protection to me.
 
ponder said:
It sounds a bit like 'mafia' protection to me.
Click to expand...
Not quite, rather think of why a small industrial park over the road from the Value warehouse in Cato Ridge area that was completely looted in the 2021 June "riots" was untouched. Different security companies. Some people you do not mess with, or didn't then. A good relationship with SAPS is essential as, in real conflict (CIT etc) the firepower is needed and at other times not investigating (the norm for much of SAPS) is appreciated. I am moving away from agriculture as it is a great lifestyle BUT almost everything is moving bigger so businesses can afford the costs (like security) but stay below the crippling stuff for small business; government admin (BBEE, AA etc etc). TOFTS (too old for that ****).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X