Timeline of DA’s Rural Safety Interventions

The DA’s Longstanding Fight for Rural Safety in South Africa

Since 2003, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has been a vocal and consistent advocate for improved rural safety in South Africa. Following the disbandment of the Commando system under President Mbeki, which the DA labelled a “total disaster,” the party has repeatedly pushed for the reintroduction of specialised rural policing units, effective crime prevention strategies, and greater South African Police Service (SAPS) visibility in vulnerable farming communities.

Over the years, the DA has launched national campaigns, policy blueprints, parliamentary debates, and petitions—calling attention to farm attacks, stock theft, and the growing threat to food security. From advocating drone technology and community policing to monitoring court cases and condemning political incitement, the DA’s efforts span over two decades of proactive engagement.

This timeline captures the DA’s commitment to restoring safety in rural areas and holding government accountable for protecting all citizens, regardless of race or region. Explore how the DA continues to lead the charge for farm safety, rural policing reforms, and the classification of farm attacks as priority crimes.

2003

The Democratic Alliance (DA) opposed the closure of the Commando system in South Africa. They considered it a “total disaster” when President Mbeki announced the disbandment in 2003. The DA argued that the closure would weaken rural security and that the promised specialised police units would not effectively replace the commando system’s crime-fighting capacity in rural areas (Source: Roy Jankielsohn)

2006–2009 / 2010–2019

DA policy blueprint (2019 manifesto): Advocated for rural policing units, undercover ops, roadblocks, special rural reservists, and community policing units for every rural station https://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/the-da-manifesto-2019

2018

“Rural safety units would stop the attacks” (Apr 2018): DA ran media campaign highlighting recent farm attacks, called for reintroduction of specialised SAPS rural safety units to replace failing rural safety strategy https://www.da.org.za/2018/04/da-rural-safety-units-stop-attacks

2019

2020

2021

DA reiterates its rejection of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill. The DA has a proud record of opposing this Bill and has taken numerous steps since 2020 calling on the Minister to abandon this Bill, which will only hamper South Africans’ ability to protect themselves against dangerous criminals.

2023

  • Called for a commission of inquiry into incitement-to-violence, urgent leadership from the President, and the full implementation of rural safety units—echoing longstanding DA demands
  • 4 August – DA Shadow agriculture minister Noko Masipa emphasised food‑security risks tied to farm murders, urged government intervention, a commission of inquiry, and the return of rural safety units https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/icymi-its-high-time-we-protect-our-food-security-guardians/

2023 – 2024 (November to June) Ongoing rural safety tracking

DA-led activist Kallie Roux and others renewed calls during Parliament’s Police and Agriculture committees to classify farm attacks as priority crimes and allocate greater SAPS visibility to rural areas https://www.da.org.za/working-to-end-farm-attacks-and-murders

2025