Farming communities are slowly changing.
In one small farming community, the sharp rise in crime appears to be pushing more elderly residents to sell their properties.
Pensioners leave as violent crime in quiet farming town rises
According to the most recent data from the South African Police Service (SAPS), crime in Viljoenskroon, a Free State farming community, rose 22.8% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year.
The most common crimes recorded in this period were serious and common assault, drug-related crimes, residential burglaries and thefts not mentioned elsewhere.
In the three months ending June 2026, there were 2 murders and 9 attempted murders.
Both categories increased compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Serious and common assault rose, as did business burglary, vehicle theft, theft from vehicle, and commercial crimes.
Residential burglaries and driving under the influence, however, declined.
The only categories to decline.
But the decline in residential burglaries may be too late, as annual statistics reveal a slow increase in this crime category since 2024.
Pensioners sell their properties
Since the start of this year, those over 65 have made up the majority of property sellers, according to data from the Free State Deeds Registry.
Sellers over 65 make up 59% of the 42 sales this year.
If you include sellers aged 50 to 64, the percentage rises to 90%.
The picture is even more dire in Viljoenskroon Rural, the town’s predominantly farming community.
In Viljoenskroon Rural, sellers over 65 make up 100% of this year’s sales.
The changing landscape in farming communities
South Africa’s farming communities have been slowly shedding their charm and safety.
According to reporting from Afriforum, during 2024-2025, Free State farms and small holdings reported 17 farm attacks, 6 murders and 5 attempted murders.
While farm murders are on the decline, attacks on these isolated properties are rising.
The rise could be linked to an increase in drug use in farming communities.
In Viljoenskroon, drug-related crime features in the top 5 most reported crimes. The crime rose 20% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
But in other farming communities across the country, a rise in drug-related crime has correlated with more thefts and assaults.
Across the Free State, police precincts are recording a rise in drug-related crime.
Of the province’s 99 police precincts, only 23 recorded a decline in drug-related crime.
The majority of these were in communities where fewer than 10 drug-related crimes were recorded the year before.