The Minister of Police Bheki Cele returned to  Bethlehem in the Free State for a rural safety imbizo. Farmers gathered to raise their concerns and current issues they are facing. The MEC for roads, transport and community safety in the Free State,  Sam Mashinini also attended the imbizo.  On the agenda was the brutal murders of farmers as well as stock theft.

Cele's  visit follows several incidences of farm attacks over the past months this is inclusive of the  killing of farm manager Brendin Horner outside Paul Roux . Some of the issues raised by the farmers is their concern when it comes to crime. They stated that black farmers do not receive equal attention as white farmers from the police when it comes to crime. 

Cele said he is concerned by crime and murders in the area regardless of the race of the victims. He added that he was concerned by farm murders as a whole in South Africa. The minister said there will be will be a task team deployed in the area to also address stock theft, adding that this issue needs to be dealt with urgently.