One morning in late 2001, Bo Voller made his wife breakfast, then stepped out-side. It was his last move – he was stabbed at least 20 times, then shot. He is one of a growing number of South African farmers brutally murdered by well organised criminal gangs. "They were trying to get money", recalls his wife "but it was a hit – definitely." Increasing poverty and unemployment has led to mass migration to the cities, where teenagers make easy pickings for organised criminals. An analyst explains: “Once they had committed a few crimes in the cities they would migrate home, and attack a farm they knew well.” And it is not only white farmers – there has been an increasing trend to violent crime on black owned farms. Army helicopters now patrol rural areas. But it’s the causes of crime that need to be addressed. Some farmers are campaigning for the death penalty, but so long as jobs and food are scarce, violent crime will continue.

Produced by SABC Special Assignment