It is absolutely crucial to provide disaster relief to farmers in the Eastern Free State after the recent runaway veld fires.
On Thursday, strong winds resulted in at least nine runaway veld fires which destroyed thousands of hectares of pasture and crops. The areas worst affected include the Memel, Verkykerskop and Vrede regions.
The farmers in these areas did all they could to bring the veld fires under control. The fires made it clearly evident that the district municipalities’ fire-fighting services are not up to standard and cannot provide the required assistance.
The same places experienced heavy snowfall and extreme cold the previous weekend.
Yesterday, the FF Plus urgently approached the MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Ms Elzabé Rockman, requesting that farmers are provided with disaster relief as soon as possible.
The FF Plus will also request the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Saki Mokoena, to declare the affected areas disaster areas.
Ms Rockman visited the Eastern Free State two months ago to experience the fire-ravaged Golden Gate area firsthand. She also spoke to the local farmers about their problems and needs.
The party will ask the relevant Portfolio Committee in the Free State Legislature to investigate the shortcomings of district municipalities’ disaster management plans.
But first, it is urgent and crucial that the provincial government provides the necessary disaster relief to the affected farmers.
The FF Plus herewith expresses its deepest condolences to those who suffered loss of life and sustained injuries, and whose homes, equipment, livestock and fodder were destroyed.
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