FSA accompanies MECs to high crime areas along Lesotho border

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is urging the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, as well as the MEC for Agriculture, to take swift action following their visit to high-crime areas along the Lesotho border between 10 and 12 September. The visit covered towns such as Zastron, Vanstadensrus, Wepener, Hobhouse, Ladybrand, Clocolan, Ficksburg, Clarens, Fouriesburg, and parts of QwaQwa. VL briefed the MECs on the challenges facing farming communities along the border.

As part of the visit, Dr. Jane Buys, FSA’s Safety Risk Analyst, confirms that information sessions took place with affected farming communities on the issues related to cross-border crime. These challenges include livestock and grazing theft, arson, and the theft of tractors, equipment, and salt licks. In addition, farm products, tractors, and copper cables are being stolen, while irrigation systems and feeding troughs are being damaged. Illegal crossing routes used by Basotho nationals further contribute to high crime levels.

Biosecurity and the transmission of animal diseases due to the lack of fencing and quarantine facilities were also discussed. The leasing of land and grazing to Basotho farmers, as well as the large number of Basotho nationals illegally residing in South Africa, were highlighted by all farming communities as urgent concerns. Dr. Buys also emphasised that the lack of cell phone reception is a significant issue for farming communities along the border.

“All of these challenges will be included in a report, which will outline short- and medium-term action plans for concrete intervention by national departments at a provincial level,” Buys concluded.