She is set to outline issues that troubled the most important sector in the province. She is also set to give a detailed account of how her department is planning to increase food production and also the increase of employment in the sector. Mohono is further set to elaborate on the effects Covid-19 had on the sector. In 2020, Mohono met with organised agricultural farmers' associations to discuss the pandemic and requested them to exercise caution, by putting stringent measures in place for prevention and control of the virus to protect their employees, and to reduce the impact of the virus on our society and economy.

The Free State and North West provinces have seen the largest percentage drops in stock theft cases over the 2020/21 period in South Africa. This is according to the latest annual figures released by the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum (NSTPF) on Thursday morning 27 May. The Free State saw a 23,39% decline, whereas the North West dropped by 31,76%. The overall picture changes slightly when you focus not only on the percentages, but actual number of stock theft cases reported. OFM News' Olebogeng Motse reports that then, the Free State comes ahead of the North West, whilst the Eastern and Western Cape reveal a far more significant drop in cases than what the percentages suggest.

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The Free State Water and Sanitation Department is calling on all residents to use water sparingly. It confirms after the recent drought, citizens should consider other alternatives, including the use of underground water. The departmental spokesperson, Larry Crisp, says water from boreholes should also be used sparingly as many parts of the province remain without water. He, however, warns it is important to test underground water in order to determine if it can be consumed by humans and animals. He adds most people who have boreholes are considered to be saving on their water bills. Crisp’s statement on the importance of water conservation comes just a day after OFM News reported on how water and sanitation minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, lamented the non-payment of water boards by municipalities in the country.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane, Olebogeng Motse and Katleho Morapela