Arrests Made in Brutal Farm Torture as South Africans Plan 3,000-Cross White House Vigil

Three suspects were detained after the brutal torture of a sleeping victim on a farm in South Africa early Saturday morning, as advocates against such farm attacks prepare a vigil to raise awareness in front of the White House in the United States next month.

The men were handed over to South African police after being detained by the private armed security group ECHO-1 Tactical Solutions following a tip detailing the plans of criminals an hour from Pretoria, the group said in a Sunday statement.

Although ECHO-1 said that they allegedly found stolen property with the suspects, they said it was a “challenge” to convince the local police that there had even been a crime.

However, a security member had made a “breakthrough” with one of the suspects, leading them to a farmhouse where they found the victim of torture and a robbery.

“There they found the victim hog-tied on his bed and bleeding profusely,” the statement said. “He was beaten, stabbed and tortured for an hour.”

A photo shared with the statement showed the bed covered in blood, as well as the three suspects being detained.

Emergency services arrived and were able to stabilize the victim as family members began to gather.

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However, a movement led by Lex Libertas and a coalition of other advocates against the farm attacks plan on moving the conversation to Washington, D.C., by placing 3,000 white crosses between the White House and the Capitol Building to commemorate victims of farm attacks of all races on Sept. 26.

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Along with the vigil, the project will include a press conference where “victims of farm attacks, land invasions, racial exclusion and general state failure” will be able to share their testimonies, and the drafting of a petition calling for the U.S. to appoint a special envoy dedicated to working with South African minorities and for the decentralization of the South African government to allow for self-governance between the nation’s diverse peoples and tribes.

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