Elmon Tshikhudo
Struggle stalwart Dr Tshenuwani Farisani suffered a great deal at the hands of the apartheid regime. He spent years in prison, and many more fighting for a better life for all.
But it seems he faces persecution once again.
This time around, speaking out against corruption among fellow comrades has earned him enemies who he says are now threatening to finish him off.
In July this year, Farisani’s chicken coop was attacked and unknown assailants killed more than 100 chickens. They also poisoned his dogs, some of which died.
The chickens were due to be donated to needy households.
Farisani had spoken out about the 2018 looting of VBS Mutual Bank and the killing of two Vhembe Samwu officials, Timmy Musetsho and Mani, the same year.
He had led several marches against the granting of bail to those arrested in connection with the murders.
Unhappy about corruption in Vhembe, he and others went to Polokwane in November to meet the leadership of the ANC.
After arriving, they were set upon by a group of youths who then threatened him with further violence.
On Monday night, assailants returned to Farisani’s farm, killing eight of his pigs and once again poisoning the dogs charged with protecting them.
Farisani said that he is not the victim of the attacks. Instead, it is the people for whom the livestock was intended who will suffer the most.
“I know they are after me but they vent their anger on the animals. I’m not breeding these for my own benefit as I give them freely to needy families. This is slow economic slaughter but it will not stop me from helping the people,” said Farisani.
He added that he won’t be deterred by the cowardly actions of a corrupt few.
“I will not be silenced on issues that affect the masses.”
ANC Vhembe region chairperson Tshitereke Matibe said Farisani has not raised the killing of his livestock with the region.
“As per protocol whoever feels aggrieved in any way should raise the matter locally and if not satisfied escalate it to a higher structure. So far we have not heard anything from him,” he said.
Siloam police have opened a case of cruelty to animals.
