New hope for drought-hit KZN farmers
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture says the drought intervention outlets that have been opened today across the province, will hopefully bring some much-needed relief to farmers for the next three months.
It is part of the department's R114-million in aid to affected farmers.
Spokesperson Lelethu Manentsa says there is an outlet in each of the province's districts where farmers can go and get assistance with animal fodder, hay and water-harvesting inputs among other things.
''We urge farmers to make use of this and go to the offices so that we can be able to identify and locate where their nearest outlets are.
''The department has a hotline for the drought interventions which people can use - so that they can [get more] information.
''The number to contact is 0800 000 996,'' he said.
Also read: R114m to assist drought-hit KZN farmers
While official statistics have put the daily stock theft figure for South Africa at 82 cases the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum believes the true number per day is actually four times that.
This as the Forum is appealing to farmers who had their livestock stolen to report cases to police.
Chairperson Willie Clack says their figures show that stock theft cases are underreported by about 63%.
''If we look at the amount of stock theft cases per year in South Africa, we have about 29 000 cases that have been reported, which in essence means 82 per day, instead of the 360 that should be reported.
''So we are actually receiving a bad end from our government and we only created this problem for ourselves,'' he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)