I was sad to read about the horrific killing of KwaZulu- Natal farm manager Kenneth Lionel Eva by residents over a protracted and bitter land dispute.

I was sad to read about the horrific killing of KwaZulu- Natal farm manager Kenneth Lionel Eva by residents over a protracted and bitter land dispute.

Such brutality has no place in our society and must be deplored in the strongest possible terms. No civilised, law-respecting and God-fearing nation wants to be associated with such savagery while channels of negotiation and redress are available.

But the manner in which the government deals with the issue is a cause for concern. Farmworkers are losing their livelihood and lives while the authorities procrastinate.

In her Christmas message, Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana pleaded with farmers to treat workers humanely and not evict them.

Was she sending a subtle message to farmers to give workers a Christmas reprieve on abuse and evictions? Or was she indirectly acknowledging that the government is aware of farm brutality but had no power or authority to stop it? Words alone will not stop the abuse or attacks.

Eva's killing should be a wake-up call that not enough is being done. Stop pussy-footing and prevaricating or we could be heading for Zimbabwean-style land invasions.

Mlungisi Mzila, Tshwane