MEC MASE MANOPOLE CAUTION FARMERS TO BE ON HIGH ALERT AS HEATWAVE SWEEPS THROUGH THE NORTHERN CAPE
With the heatwave expected to affect some parts of the country, including the Northern Cape, the MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Developmentand Land Reform, Mme Mase Manopole, calls on farmers to take extra precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of our people who are working on farms.
Last month, atleast eight farmworkers succumbed to what was suspected to be a heatstroke.
MEC is pleading with farmers to consider revising operating hours temporarily which will be favourable for the workers. This, will allow workers to take breaks in between, in order to rest and dehydrate.
Farm workers should be provided with protective equipment and be encouraged to wear light clothes and hats.
Furthermore, farmers are encouraged to provide more water points with fresh and cold water.
The MEC will like to take this opportunity to caution farmers who are on the lower lying area of the Vaal and Orage River , to be on high alert of possible flooding anticipated, which is brought about by the opening of 12 sluice gates at the Vaal Dam.
RELEASED BY THE NORTHERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND.
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