'Stop farm murders'

"Since 2006, there has been a systematic increase in farm murders," said the Transvaal Landbou Unie SA (TLU SA) youth chairman, Johan van Biljon, at the ceremony for murdered farmers.

"They say we ready for the world cup, but in the rural areas it’s a different story."

Around 50 people attended the event organised by the TLU SA Young Farmers at Fort Schanskop, at the Voortrekker Monument.

Van Biljon read a statement on safety and security expressing concern on rural safety.

The young farmers will hand over the statement to police representatives at a later stage, as police who were invited to receive it did not attend.

The statement decries the fact that rural security measures put in place by former President Nelson Mandela has been abandoned.

TLU SA chairman, Ben Marais also read an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, protesting "the threat against farmers, their families and their employees".

Farmers and relatives of murdered farmers laid flowers at empty coffins and white crosses, symbolising the victims.