This is according to Minister Thoko Didiza, who stated that these applications include those of cooperatives as well as individual farmers. Didiza spoke during a media briefing on Tuesday where she announced progress made regarding the release of available state land for agricultural purposes. The briefing comes after Didiza announced the availability of 896 farms - measuring more than 529 000 hectares - for residents in seven provinces. The Free State was allocated 8 333 hectares of state land, while the Northern Cape was allocated 12 224 hectares. The North West province received the most, as 300 000 hectares of land were allocated to this province. The closing date for applications is 16 November.

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One of the suspects who stands accused of murdering 56-year-old Hennenman farmer, Pieter Hills, is expected to appear before the Hennenman Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. This after a second suspect, 36-year-old Tshidiso Patrick Bochedi, appeared briefly before the same court on Monday, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and house robbery. Bochedi's case was postponed to Monday 16 November for further investigation. Police spokesperson, Motansi Makhele, says a third suspect was released after she could not be positively linked to the crime. Investigations continue and more arrests are imminent.

Meanwhile, the Free State MEC for Agriculture, William Bulwane, has condemned the senseless murders of three Free State farmers in recent weeks in separate incidents. Bulwane believes that farm murders threaten food security and leave those who depend on the same farmers for work, vulnerable. The MEC urged all stakeholders to join hands to fight farm attacks and -murders.

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