Mohono allocated millions of rands to eight programmes within her department. The Farmers Support and Development Programme was allocated R436 million. Mohono says the annual non-financial performance of the department is 87% - which is 34 out of 39 for targeted output - and the financial performance is 82%.

The Water and Sanitation Department in the Free State urges residents in the province to desist from vandalising water infrastructure. Departmental spokesperson, Larry Crisp, said this in an update on the province’s current water levels which are currently sitting at a positive 97,7%. He further encourages residents to continue conserving water even with dam levels in excess of 97%. Crisp says community members need to take responsibility and immediately report leaks to their local municipality as this helps curb the loss of potable water. The update comes as Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, revealed during the tabling of her budget that R12.6 billion is owed to water boards by municipalities and that their escalating debt is a great cause of concern.

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A local NGO says while the average food basket price has come down by R61 in May - the decrease hasn't yet had a knock-on effect on the cost of core food items. According to the latest data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group - the average monthly grocery spend in the country has dropped by 1,5%, to R4 137. It's the first decrease in nine months. But the group's Mervyn Abrahams says the cost of core food items like maize meal, rice, flour, beans, potatoes, onions, cooking oil hasn't come down yet.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse