DA requests FS Agriculture MEC Benny Malakoane to assist Vrede Dairy beneficiaries
10 September 2018
Following severe veld fires around the town of Vrede in the Eastern Free State, which destroyed much of the available grazing, beneficiaries of the Vrede Dairy Project approached the farm management with a request to allow them access to the farm in order for them to graze their personal herds of cattle.
The Vrede Farm management replied to the beneficiaries stating that they would need approval from a higher authority. In addition they have put prerequisites in place, such as testing for brucellosis, which is the responsibility of State veterinarians who work for the Department of Agriculture. This appears to be an attempt to frustrate the beneficiaries from gaining access to the farm. See the Vrede Management response here.
The beneficiaries then approached the DA for assistance and on Friday, last week, we wrote to Agriculture MEC, Dr Benny Malakoane, requesting him to intervene in the matter. See the letter here.
It is ridiculous that the Vrede Farm Management are denying the legitimate beneficiaries access to the 4400 hectares farm, especially in their time of need when there is a scarcity of grazing on commonages due to veld fires. According to the contract between representatives of the beneficiaries and the provincial government, they should be given access to the farm.