MEC Elzabe Rockman Steps Up Agricultural and Safety Engagements with Free State Farmers

Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs Elzabe Rockman is continuing with engagements and site visits across the province as the department works to address critical agricultural, livestock and safety challenges affecting local farmers. The latest engagement took place at the Zastron Town Hall, where farmers met with provincial and municipal representatives to discuss issues affecting their farming operations and livelihoods. The meeting brought together key stakeholders who provided information on animal health, stock theft, land matters, municipal services and fire safety. The engagement also created an opportunity for farmers to raise concerns directly with authorities responsible for addressing some of the challenges facing the agricultural sector. The discussions highlighted the need for continued cooperation between farmers, government, law enforcement and municipalities to protect agricultural production and strengthen rural communities.

MEC Rockman was supported during the engagement by Mohokare Local Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Teboho Mochechepa, who welcomed farmers and other attendees to the session. The Mayor emphasised the importance of collaboration between the municipality, government departments and farmers in addressing issues that affect agricultural communities. He thanked farmers for responding to the invitation and expressed his belief that the engagement would benefit those in attendance. Direct engagement with farmers provides government representatives with an opportunity to hear about challenges occurring on farms and in rural communities. It also allows farmers to receive information about available interventions and understand the responsibilities of different institutions.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease was among the key agricultural issues discussed during the engagement, with farmers receiving an update on the current spread of the disease and progress with local vaccination campaigns in Mohokare Municipality. FMD remains a serious concern for livestock farmers because outbreaks can disrupt animal movement, trade and farming activities. Vaccination forms part of broader disease control efforts aimed at reducing the risk of transmission and protecting livestock populations. Providing farmers with regular updates is important because they need accurate information to make informed decisions about their animals and comply with disease control measures. The discussion also reinforced the importance of cooperation between farmers and veterinary authorities in monitoring livestock health and responding to disease risks.

The location of Zastron near the Lesotho border was highlighted as an important factor in the challenges facing the area. During his presentation, Warrant Officer Khiba explained that the town’s proximity to the border contributes to concerns around stock theft and the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Cross-border movement can create additional challenges for authorities responsible for monitoring livestock and preventing illegal movement of animals. Stock theft also has serious consequences for farmers because the loss of cattle, sheep or other livestock can directly affect household income and the sustainability of farming businesses. Strengthening cooperation between farmers, law enforcement and relevant government departments is therefore essential to improving livestock security and protecting agricultural assets.

Stock theft was another major topic addressed during the meeting, with the South African Police Service providing information to farmers about the challenges faced in the area. Farmers depend heavily on their livestock as productive assets, making theft a serious threat to agricultural livelihoods. Effective reporting, livestock identification and cooperation with law enforcement can help authorities respond more effectively to stock theft incidents. Farmers can also contribute to crime prevention by maintaining accurate records of their livestock and ensuring that animals carry the correct identification marks. Continued communication between farming communities and the police remains important in identifying risks and developing responses suited to the local circumstances.

Land issues were also placed on the agenda, with the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development providing a presentation to farmers. Access to land and the management of agricultural land remain important issues for farmers seeking to establish or expand productive operations. Farmers need clarity on land-related processes, rights and responsibilities to make effective long-term decisions about their agricultural businesses. Engagements that bring farmers together with officials responsible for land matters can help address concerns and provide information about available processes. Including land issues alongside animal health and agricultural safety also showed how closely different challenges are connected to the sustainability of farming communities.

Municipal matters affecting farmers were discussed through a presentation by a representative from Local Economic Development. Municipal services can have a direct impact on agricultural activities, particularly in rural areas where farmers depend on infrastructure and local services to support production and protect their businesses. Farmers need functioning roads, reliable municipal services, effective by-laws and responsive local authorities to operate successfully. Raising these matters directly with municipal representatives gives farmers an opportunity to identify problems and seek practical solutions. It also helps municipalities understand how service delivery challenges can affect agricultural production and rural economic activity.

Fire safety emerged as another concern during the engagement, with local firefighters raising issues around fire hazards in the area. Farmers face significant risks from uncontrolled veld and grass fires, which can damage grazing land, crops, fencing, infrastructure and livestock. Firebreaks play an important role in helping to control the spread of fires and protect farms and surrounding communities. Local firefighters formally requested municipal assistance to establish and maintain critical firebreaks. Greater cooperation between municipalities, farmers and fire services could help improve preparedness and reduce the potential damage caused by agricultural and veld fires.

The request for assistance with firebreaks highlights the importance of preventative measures in protecting agricultural land. Fire management requires planning before the fire season, including identifying high-risk areas, maintaining appropriate firebreaks and ensuring that farmers and emergency services can respond quickly when fires occur. Municipal support can strengthen these efforts where farmers do not have sufficient resources to address fire risks independently. Farmers can also play an important role by maintaining their own properties and participating in coordinated fire management initiatives. A combined approach can reduce risks and protect agricultural resources that support local livelihoods.

The presence of the Chief Whip of the Free State Legislature, Mr Oupa Khoabane, further demonstrated the importance of the issues raised by farmers in Zastron. Bringing together representatives from different levels of government provides an opportunity for agricultural concerns to receive attention across multiple areas of responsibility. Farmers face interconnected challenges, with disease outbreaks, stock theft, land matters, municipal services and fire risks all capable of affecting production and income. Addressing these issues requires more than a single intervention or department. Continued engagements can help ensure that concerns raised by farming communities reach the appropriate institutions and that progress can be monitored over time.

The Zastron engagement forms part of MEC Elzabe Rockman’s broader programme of engagements and site visits across the Free State. These engagements provide an opportunity for government to engage directly with farmers and understand the conditions affecting agricultural production in different areas of the province. Local challenges can vary from one farming community to another, making direct consultation important when developing practical responses. The participation of municipalities, law enforcement, land officials, agricultural authorities and emergency services also creates a stronger platform for coordinated action. For farmers, these engagements provide an opportunity to raise concerns while gaining information that can help them protect their livestock, land and agricultural businesses.

The discussions in Zastron demonstrated that protecting agriculture requires coordinated action on several fronts. Farmers need support to manage livestock diseases, protect their animals from theft, resolve land-related challenges, address municipal concerns and reduce the risks posed by fires. Government departments and municipalities also need continued input from farmers to understand how policies and interventions affect agricultural operations on the ground. The engagement provided a space for these concerns to be discussed directly and for stakeholders to consider practical measures. Continued follow-up will be important to ensure that issues raised during the meeting lead to meaningful action.

MEC Rockman’s continued engagements with farmers across the Free State highlight the importance of maintaining strong communication between government and agricultural communities. The Zastron meeting brought attention to some of the most pressing issues affecting farmers in the Mohokare area, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease, stock theft, land matters, municipal services and fire safety. Addressing these challenges will require cooperation between farmers, government departments, law enforcement agencies, municipalities and emergency services. Protecting livestock, agricultural land and farming infrastructure is essential to maintaining productive rural economies and supporting the livelihoods of farming communities. The continued engagement of provincial and local authorities with farmers can help turn the concerns raised in meetings such as this into practical measures that strengthen agriculture and rural development across the Free State.