2021

Media Releases 2021

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12/17 2021
Agriculture will not survive 20.5% Eskom increase!

Agriculture will not survive 20.5% Eskom increase!

publish on December 17, 2021

“It is unacceptable that Eskom’s losses caused by corruption are recovered from paying customers,” said Francois Wilken, President of Free

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12/09 2021
3 questions about mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations

3 questions about mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations

publish on December 9, 2021

With the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic currently raging in South Africa, many citizens are living with fear and

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12/07 2021
Property rights battle not over yet

Property rights battle not over yet

publish on December 7, 2021

Thanks to large-scale pressure from the community and civil rights organizations, the ANC was unable to change Article 25 of

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12/01 2021
Extra vigilance needed during festive season

Extra vigilance needed during festive season

publish on December 1, 2021

The Free State is in mourning after two farmers were killed in the province within 24 hours. Jakkals le Roux,

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11/29 2021
Increase in stock theft along Lesotho border

Increase in stock theft along Lesotho border

publish on November 29, 2021

The Free State province already had 847 reported stock theft cases for the second quarter of 2021/2022. This figure is

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11/26 2021
Farmers must produce food, not repair roads

Farmers must produce food, not repair roads

publish on November 26, 2021

With the festive season approaching and the heavy summer rains predicted, many farmers across the Free State are repairing roads

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11/23 2021
FSA demands more targeted police investigations

FSA demands more targeted police investigations

publish on November 23, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) demands from the Minister of Police as well as the Free State Commissioner of Police to

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11/18 2021
No reason to celebrate transport month in the Free State

No reason to celebrate transport month in the Free State

publish on November 18, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) demands from the Minister of Police as well as the Free State Commissioner of Police to

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11/11 2021
The state’s electricity monopoly is unsustainable

The state’s electricity monopoly is unsustainable

publish on November 11, 2021

“Load shedding during daylight hours can be prevented”, says Francois Wilken, President of Free State Agriculture. “For a country with

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11/11 2021
Young Farmer of the Year entry now open

Young Farmer of the Year entry now open

publish on November 11, 2021

Free State Agriculture encourages young farmers between the ages of 18 and 40 years to enter for the prestigious competition.

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11/05 2021
FSA questions unaffordable ESKOM tariff pricing at public hearing

FSA questions unaffordable ESKOM tariff pricing at public hearing

publish on November 5, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) will question the way ESKOM is allowed to set unaffordable tariffs at a public hearing with

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11/02 2021
Cross-border farm attacks from Lesotho concern after yet another shooting

Cross-border farm attacks from Lesotho concern after yet another shooting

publish on November 2, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed its serious concern for the safety of agricultural communities along the Lesotho border, following

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10/22 2021
Organized agriculture must put the interests of members first, says FSA

Organized agriculture must put the interests of members first, says FSA

publish on October 22, 2021

“The role of organized agriculture is not to implement the state or governing party’s political agenda, but to put the

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10/14 2021
FSA President calls for consistency in application of Hate Crimes Bill

FSA President calls for consistency in application of Hate Crimes Bill

publish on October 14, 2021

The Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill could potentially lead to Orwellian inequality, said Francois Wilken,

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10/13 2021
SAPS’s decisive action against stock theft sends strong message

SAPS’s decisive action against stock theft sends strong message

publish on October 13, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) would like to thank the South African Police Service

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09/27 2021
Stock theft: economic sabotage of the agricultural sector

Stock theft: economic sabotage of the agricultural sector

publish on September 27, 2021

The shortcomings currently being detected at Livestock Theft Units (FSU) in the South African Police Service (SAPS) by farming communities

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09/23 2021
Resistance to corruption, poor service delivery and expropriation needed

Resistance to corruption, poor service delivery and expropriation needed

publish on September 23, 2021

“Resist corruption, poor service delivery and imminent expropriation of assets by taking control of your immediate environment and circumstances”. This

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09/21 2021
Hard words during Free State Agriculture congress

Hard words during Free State Agriculture congress

publish on September 21, 2021

“We may step on a few toes, but given the time and circumstances in which agriculture finds itself at the

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09/01 2021
Sentiment against expropriation at public hearings

Sentiment against expropriation at public hearings

publish on September 1, 2021

In an unexpected turn of events, support for the Expropriation Bill in the Free State seems to have substantially diminished.

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08/18 2021
107 639 submissions against the Constitutional Amendment

107 639 submissions against the Constitutional Amendment

publish on August 18, 2021

The amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution will only add to the woes of South Africa. This was the

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08/17 2021
FSA concerned about Minister of Police’s unrest investigations

FSA concerned about Minister of Police’s unrest investigations

publish on August 17, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has expressed its concern about the police’s ‘witch hunt’ on members of the public who were

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08/10 2021
Free State Agriculture condemns murder of Harrismith farmer and family

Free State Agriculture condemns murder of Harrismith farmer and family

publish on August 10, 2021

Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), says the organization strongly condemns the murders that took place on Saturday,

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08/06 2021
Constitutional amendment: EFF & ANC impasse can be overcome

Constitutional amendment: EFF & ANC impasse can be overcome

publish on August 6, 2021

The highly publicised political impasse between the EFF and ANC over the constitutional amendment to Section 25 should not cause

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08/03 2021
Firearms Control Amendment Bill is an attack on the right to life

Firearms Control Amendment Bill is an attack on the right to life

publish on August 3, 2021

“Self-defence is recognized by all legal systems. Where a choice has to be made between the lives of two or more

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07/28 2021
Southern Free State fires biggest in province history

Southern Free State fires biggest in province history

publish on July 28, 2021

On 12-13 July 2021, 104 235ha of farmland was burned to the ground. According to Dr Jack Armour, Free State

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07/22 2021
Riots show why the firearms Bill should be stopped

Riots show why the firearms Bill should be stopped

publish on July 22, 2021

The public is once again called upon to comment on the Firearms Control Amendment Act, says Tommie Esterhuyse, vice-president of

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07/19 2021
Free State Agriculture will oppose constitutional amendment

Free State Agriculture will oppose constitutional amendment

publish on July 19, 2021

“Property rights are inextricably part of human rights, and no state has the right to alienate people from it.” This

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07/16 2021
Protect your property rights

Protect your property rights

publish on July 16, 2021

The amendment of section 25 of the Constitution threatens the property rights of all citizens of the country. The amendment will establish the principle where expropriation of immovable property is possible for purposes of land reform with no compensation.

Help Free State Agriculture to stop this amendment of the Constitution. Fill out the form below so that your opposition to the constitutional amendment can be sent to Parliament.

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07/15 2021
Free State Agriculture and RPO welcome arrests by Hawks

Free State Agriculture and RPO welcome arrests by Hawks

publish on July 15, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) welcome the arrests by the Hawks carried out on

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07/15 2021
Locust disaster fund

Locust disaster fund

publish on July 15, 2021

Short intro paragraph

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07/13 2021
Fires engulf south western parts of Free State

Fires engulf south western parts of Free State

publish on July 13, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) confirms that farmers and the Fire protection Association structures fought fires throughout the night (12 July

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07/13 2021
Fire disaster fund

Fire disaster fund

publish on July 13, 2021

Short intro paragraph

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07/08 2021
Prevent farm attacks

Prevent farm attacks

publish on July 8, 2021

Short intro paragraph

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07/02 2021
Level 4 regulations can lead to gap in policing in rural areas

Level 4 regulations can lead to gap in policing in rural areas

publish on July 2, 2021

The announcement of level 4 Covid regulations by the government, which include roadblocks around Gauteng that must be manned by

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06/30 2021
Expropriation Bill remains the main threat to property rights

Expropriation Bill remains the main threat to property rights

publish on June 30, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) remains weary of the Expropriation Bill as the main policy to drive the expropriation without compensation

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06/24 2021
FSA calls on SAPS to step up investigation into Horner murder

FSA calls on SAPS to step up investigation into Horner murder

publish on June 24, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with care that the two accused in the Brendin Horner murder on 22 June 2021

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06/23 2021
Land custodianship: Nationalisation by other means

Land custodianship: Nationalisation by other means

publish on June 23, 2021

“When the owner of an asset is deprived of his or her ownership it is nationalisation”. This was the reaction

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06/10 2021
Property rights: Pres. Ramaphosa’s contradictory messages

Property rights: Pres. Ramaphosa’s contradictory messages

publish on June 10, 2021

The contradictory messages from government officials, including the president, about custodianship and nationalization of land create concern. This was the

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06/08 2021
Law-abiding gun owners are not the cause of violent crime

Law-abiding gun owners are not the cause of violent crime

publish on June 8, 2021

“Law-abiding gun owners are not the reason for violent crime, Adv. Shandu.” This is the reaction of Free State Agriculture

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06/03 2021
FSA will oppose nationalization of land through custodianship

FSA will oppose nationalization of land through custodianship

publish on June 3, 2021

“The EFF’s call to place all land under custodianship of the state is nothing other than nationalisation and should be

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06/01 2021
Firearms: Public participation emails fail to deliver

Firearms: Public participation emails fail to deliver

publish on June 1, 2021

“Our members’ and supporters’ voices will be heard and if requires Free State Agriculture will deliver comments on the Firearms

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05/28 2021
Disarmament of women with proposed law?

Disarmament of women with proposed law?

publish on May 28, 2021

The proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Act, which were announced in the Government Gazette on Friday, will result in

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05/25 2021
Protect Your Right To Self-Defence

Protect Your Right To Self-Defence

publish on May 25, 2021

Short intro paragraph

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05/25 2021
Firearms Control Act – Agriculture strongly opposed

Firearms Control Act – Agriculture strongly opposed

publish on May 25, 2021

“Self-defence is everyone’s right and cannot be restricted by the state.” This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA)

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05/24 2021
7 000 sheep without grazing after Boshof fire

7 000 sheep without grazing after Boshof fire

publish on May 24, 2021

7 000 sheep are without grazing after almost 30 000ha were destroyed during a runaway veld fire in the Boshof

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05/19 2021
Locusts terrorize areas in Western Free State

Locusts terrorize areas in Western Free State

publish on May 19, 2021

Farmers in the Hertzogville and Boshof area in the Western Free State were over the weekend greeted by a dark

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05/17 2021
FSA supports NERSA opposing ESKOM RCL Decision

FSA supports NERSA opposing ESKOM RCL Decision

publish on May 17, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) fully supports the national energy regulating body of SA, NERSA’s media statement of 10 May calling

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05/05 2021
300 farm attacks and murders in the Free State since 2016

300 farm attacks and murders in the Free State since 2016

publish on May 5, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) confirmed that during 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021, 298 farm attacks, including 37 murders,

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04/28 2021
Agricultural role players meet with MEC to discuss illegal influxes from Lesotho

Agricultural role players meet with MEC to discuss illegal influxes from Lesotho

publish on April 28, 2021

The Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Sam Mashinini, will meet with various role players from Lesotho

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04/21 2021
FSA warns of fire danger risks following first frost in Free State

FSA warns of fire danger risks following first frost in Free State

publish on April 21, 2021

Farmers are hoping for another three weeks of grace against the winter cold so that late crops can reach their

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04/16 2021
Corrupt evictions of farmers and incompetent state

Corrupt evictions of farmers and incompetent state

publish on April 16, 2021

Recently, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu, announced that 35% of the senior civil servants do not

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04/14 2021
FSA Young Farmer of the Year winner a true gentleman

FSA Young Farmer of the Year winner a true gentleman

publish on April 14, 2021

Hard work, attention to detail and a strong faith are the pillars on which Free State Agriculture’s new Young Farmer

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04/12 2021
FSA calls for more police task forces in Free State

FSA calls for more police task forces in Free State

publish on April 12, 2021

The police task force that was formed after the murder of Brendin Horner in the Bethlehem Control Room’s service area,

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04/08 2021
FSA Young Farmer finalists believe in future of agriculture in SA

FSA Young Farmer finalists believe in future of agriculture in SA

publish on April 8, 2021

The five finalists in the Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) Young Farmer of the Year competition all believe that there is

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04/06 2021
AG report confirms FS problems in Police, Roads & Transport Department

AG report confirms FS problems in Police, Roads & Transport Department

publish on April 6, 2021

The Auditor General has recently confirmed that the Free State Department of Police, Roads & Transport squandered R1.138 Billion, of

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03/30 2021
Minister’s admission to shortcomings in Land Department worrying

Minister’s admission to shortcomings in Land Department worrying

publish on March 30, 2021

The 2019/2020 report of the auditor-general shows claims of more than R2bn being instituted against the Department of Agriculture, Rural

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03/25 2021
Policeman arrested over stock theft

Policeman arrested over stock theft

publish on March 25, 2021

An acting police station commander and his accomplice, a previously convicted stock thief, appeared in Frankfort court on 24 March

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03/24 2021
Agriculture will make its mark in parliament – EWC

Agriculture will make its mark in parliament – EWC

publish on March 24, 2021

Parliament will be hearing oral submissions from today from various organisations and individuals regarding the Expropriation Bill. Free State Agriculture

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03/19 2021
Ficksburg protest delivers results

Ficksburg protest delivers results

publish on March 19, 2021

A community that protested for a common cause applied the necessary pressure and bore fruit. Social media is still buzzing

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03/17 2021
FSA supports Ficksburg protest for better roads

FSA supports Ficksburg protest for better roads

publish on March 17, 2021

Ficksburg community forum, Sechaba sa Ficksburg, have closed all routes through Ficksburg since 06:00 AM on Wednesday, March 17th 2021. They

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03/10 2021
Set claims against bad roads and losses

Set claims against bad roads and losses

publish on March 10, 2021

Community members from all over the Free State are furious following another car accident on the R103 between Warden and

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03/04 2021
Ficksburg community unites to create roads forum

Ficksburg community unites to create roads forum

publish on March 4, 2021

Various organisations and bodies from the Ficksburg community gathered on 2 March with one common goal, namely to address the

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03/02 2021
FS communities experience increase in crime wave

FS communities experience increase in crime wave

publish on March 2, 2021

The Free State had the highest number of farm attacks of all the provinces in the recent third quarter crime

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02/26 2021
Last chance to stop costly Expropriation

Last chance to stop costly Expropriation

publish on February 26, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) calls on all South Africans to make their submission on Parliament’s Expropriation Bill that ends this

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02/25 2021
Budget Realities for Agriculture & Rural Communities

Budget Realities for Agriculture & Rural Communities

publish on February 25, 2021

“Government takes with both hands and then gives back with just one.” This is Francois Wilken, President of Free States

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02/24 2021
What is needed from the budget for agriculture

What is needed from the budget for agriculture

publish on February 24, 2021

“A safe and conducive environment is necessary for the agricultural sector to flourish in the Free State and South Africa”

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02/23 2021
80 000 says “STOP the Expropriation Bill

80 000 says “STOP the Expropriation Bill

publish on February 23, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) today handed to Parliament its official submission on the Expropriation Bill. The document is supported by

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02/19 2021
State is going to give expropriated land to MK veterans

State is going to give expropriated land to MK veterans

publish on February 19, 2021

“This is nothing more than a repetition of Zimbabwean land policy.” This was the reaction of Free State Agriculture (FSA)

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02/18 2021
Expropriation will NOT speed up land reform, says FSA

Expropriation will NOT speed up land reform, says FSA

publish on February 18, 2021

Expropriation without compensation (EWC) will not accelerate land reform, land ownership or transformation. EWC simply means more land in the

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02/15 2021
SONA: Three questions should be posed to Pres. Ramaphosa

SONA: Three questions should be posed to Pres. Ramaphosa

publish on February 15, 2021

SONA: Three questions should be posed to Pres. Ramaphosa 1. Why do black farmers not receive title deeds? 2. Why

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02/11 2021
We need policy certainty and good governance!

We need policy certainty and good governance!

publish on February 11, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) views the coming State of the Nation Address (SONA) as an opportunity for government to realign

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02/09 2021
Adjustment of National Minimum Wage: Out of touch with realities

Adjustment of National Minimum Wage: Out of touch with realities

publish on February 9, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with shock and disappointment the increase in the National Minimum Wage, as published in the

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02/08 2021
New comments vital to stop Expropriation Bill in current form

New comments vital to stop Expropriation Bill in current form

publish on February 8, 2021

Members of the public must clearly understand the two legislative processes currently at play to try to establish a principal

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02/05 2021
Increase in farm murders and attacks in 2020

Increase in farm murders and attacks in 2020

publish on February 5, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has analysed farm attacks and murders for 2020 and will release a full report in March.

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01/29 2021
Land ownership: Question Government’s sincerity

Land ownership: Question Government’s sincerity

publish on January 29, 2021

Government’s land policy, as tool to increase individual land ownership in South Africa, cannot be taken seriously. This is the

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01/14 2021
Free State floods: roads crumbling

Free State floods: roads crumbling

publish on January 14, 2021

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has warned that the Free State province’s road infrastructure is in a dire state. FSA has

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