Storm damage leaves KZN farmers reeling
Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal are assessing the extent of the
damage to their land and infrastructure following heavy rains and snowfall this
week.
Damaging winds brought down trees and power lines in some areas, while roads covered in thick snow in the vicinity of Kokstad were closed on Tuesday.
The African Farmers' Association of South Africa says there are concerns among its members about financial losses.
READ: Eastern Cape flood death toll almost 50
KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, Mbongeni Skhakhane, says farmers in the Midlands region are among the hardest hit.
"In the area around Umngungundlovu, Impendle, most of the farmers were crying there. When it snows, the cattle won’t graze, they will have no food. It means that you must buy food so that you can feed your livestock. Some of the livestock, cattle, goats, and sheep, they end up dying. In this province, we are affected, so we need support."
He has urged local government to step in, saying many of these farmers have already been dealing with an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.
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