The looting of businesses comes as protests broke out in KwaZulu-Natal after former president, Jacob Zuma, handed himself over to police to commence his 15-month jail sentence ordered by the Constitutional Court for contempt of court. Dr Theo de Jager, Saai's Chairperson of the Board of Directors, says that the organisation will do all in its power to support families on their farms who are in distress, have to flee, or are in danger of sustaining damages as a result of fire and looting.

The Free State Agriculture Department is appealing to farmers to remain vigilant following recent veldfires. The veldfires that began last week have caused damage to an estimated 70 000 hectares of grazing land. Spokesperson, Zimasa Leputla, says several farmers in Thaba Nchu, Koffiefontein, Jacobsdal, Petrusburg, Soutpan, Edenburg, Tierpoort, and many others, experienced losses due to the veldfires. Damages as a result of the veldfires include game, livestock and farm infrastructure such as buildings. MEC William Bulwane has meanwhile told OFM News that his department will be working with various stakeholders and will assist farmers with providing information on early fire warning signs.

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Meanwhile, Free State Agriculture's Jack Armour, says that all the ravaging veldfires in the province have been contained and that the clean-up process has commenced. He says that farmers and people who live nearby are encouraged to assist with anything they can. Armour adds that the organisation has a Fire Disaster Fund where anyone wishing to make a donation to assist the affected farmers can do so.





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