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Destruction and death in the wake of a devastating veld fire in the Free State.
- The raging veld fire that has destroyed thousands of hectares of farmland in the Free State has been largely contained.
- The fire, allegedly started by protesters, killed game and livestock and seriously injured a local farmer.
- Farmers are now taking stock of the damage as they return to their homes.
The raging veld fire that has destroyed thousands of acres of Free State farmland, as well as killing game and livestock and seriously injuring a farmer, has been largely contained.
It has left a trail of destruction in its wake and the weary farmers who had been helping to shut it down are returning to their farms to take stock of the losses they suffered.
The fire was reportedly started during a protest over the provision of services in Tokologo Township. It has destroyed about 100,000 hectares of farmland around Hoopstad, Christiana and Hertzogville in the Free State.
Local farmer Tewie Nel, 28, is in critical condition after suffering second and third degree burns, Netwerk24 reported.
READ | Farmer suffers severe burns in wildfire in the Free state
According to Jack Armor, operations manager for the Free State Agricultural Organization, the surveillance planes were dispatched Wednesday morning and reported there were no signs of more fires.
“The teams are waiting for any outbreak, but at this stage the fire is under control,” Armor told News24.
Counting losses
He said that farmers had returned home to count their losses.
“They are exhausted. They are looking for their sheep and cattle that, in some cases, had crossed seven farms to escape the flames. These guys are counting their animals and trying to take care of them as best they can.”
“In some cases, we have to make sure the animals do not suffer, many will have to be euthanized. There are veterinarians and representatives of the NSPCA who are trying to save animals that can still get by,” Armor said.
SEE | Uncontrolled fires destroy 100,000ha of agricultural land in the Free State
“Farmers are putting up fences again and have started to rebuild what they can. There has been tremendous support through donations and animal feed; we are so grateful. This has given our community much needed hope.”
According to Johan “Savage” Breytenbach, the Hertzogville Fire Complex Incident Management Team [IMT] remains active and coordinating with provincial and national disaster management and other departments.
“Volunteers en route will be provided with a meeting point and staging area to introduce themselves. National WoF [Working on Fire] Resources have been made available and they are on their way to the area.
A fire raged near Hertzogville in the Free State on Tuesday morning.
Netwerk24 Mlungisi Louw
Farmers in the Free State try to put out the flames.
Netwerk24 Mlungisi Louw
Smoke caused by a devastating veld fire in the Free State.
Red24 Amanda Oosthuizen
Under control
“Please understand that the fire is currently under control and coordinated efforts are being made to ensure that the fire does not (sic) spread more. Official updates will be provided on social media and the press to keep people updated on developments. The incredible reaction from the general public is appreciated and testifies to the heart of South Africans, the situation is being brought under control, “Breytenbach said in a message sent to stakeholders.
Local farmer Gys Olivier told News24 that there were some minor outbreaks in the area, but they were being fixed.
Police spokesman Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed that the fires had been contained.
Previously, Makhele told News24 that the JoJo tanks were damaged and that 17 people appeared in Hertzogville Magistrates Court Tuesday on charges of public violence and intentional damage to property.
Eleven were detained on Sunday and the rest were detained on Monday.
“They were all granted bail of 1,000 rand each … Seven of them could not afford it and had to remain in custody pending their next court appearance on Thursday 5 November,” Makhele added.
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