Agri-office moving?

Thabazimbi – Thapelo Chepape informed Platinum Bushvelder that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Thabazimbi office is closing and moving to Lephalale.

The office was said to close on 4 February. Thapelo received a WhatsApp notification to that effect. 
We reached out to the department on several occasions but did not receive any feedback at the time of print. We also went to the office in Thaba, still operating and open on 9 February, and asked the receptionist (only available person) about it. She chose not to comment. 

Thapelo is concerned about the lack of communication and the effect it will have on small-scale farmers in the area, that must travel to Lephalale (if the office moves). Hans Masepe who farms with livestock in the Thabazimbi area deals with the agriculture office on a regular basis.

He gets info on deadlines, injections for his cattle, disease control, medication, DNA testing, cattle feed and much more. “If the office closes, how will I run my farm?” 

Philemon Motlhabae, who also farms with livestock, says it’s already costly to travel to the Thabazimbi Agri office. “One trip to Lephalale will be R700!” he said. 

He often visits the office for advice on his livestock. “We also have to attend their meetings, and Lephalale already has a Department of Agriculture office.

Last year we heard similar rumours of them moving. When we confronted them, they denied it… and now this WhatsApp… what’s going on?” 

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