Agriculture MEC William Bulwane says the department, during a meeting with Free State Agriculture (FSA) this week, said it does not condone what the perpetrators have done in connection with the murder of the young Brendin Horner from Paul Roux in the province and the outcry from farmers about these killings is understandable. However, he says responsible behaviour by communities is of great importance - especially in light of the court appearance of two suspects on Friday in connection with the murder of Horner. Bulwane says if the situation is not is not handled with care, and it is politicized too much, it will spiral out of control and cause problems for the country. The department and FSA during the meeting this week signed a memorandum of understanding with regards to certain issues in the province that were agreed upon last year. Bulwane says this entails four issues.

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, is visiting agricultural projects as part of the World Food Day (WFD) commemoration on Friday. Together with that the day will also be commemorated virtually by the department. WFD is commemorated annually to create public awareness of the world food shortage and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. This year's celebration marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations' (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation. The FAO states preserving access to safe and nutritious food is and will be an essential part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic especially for poor and vulnerable communities. This comes as over two billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The FAO urges all communities to join in the #WorldFoodDay celebrations by sharing individual action online.

EN

Meanwhile police minister Bheki Cele says all preparations are in place for the court appearance of the two Horner murder suspects, Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa, who are expected to apply for bail. The accused's first court appearance was last Tuesday in the Senekal Magistrate's Court. A group of people, who was part of a large number of people who turned up in support of the Horner family and to take stance against these killing and the poor state of farm safety, stormed the courtroom. A police vehicle was overturned and torched, and gusnhots were fired. Following the protests that ensued at Senekal, OFM News learned the case against the suspects will be transferred to the Paul Roux Magistrate's Court. Horner, who was an employee at the Bloukruin Farm in Paul Roux, was found tied to a pole in an open space earlier this month. He also had injuries to his head and face and a knife was found at the scene. His bakkie was later found on a neighbouring farm, Duikfontein.

OFM News