According to Harold Ramahala (86) his farm was burned down four years ago by a GLM employee in Mohlaka-a-Mosomo Village.

“In 2016 my farm caught fire after a GLM employee set-alight a pile of rubbish near my farm.

“As a result most of the farm burned to ashes and a lot of my equipment, including pipes and a water pump, were destroyed,” he said.

Immediately after the incident he approached the municipality requesting that they replace his equipment in order to continue farming.

“I have produced a list of my damaged tools and an estimate on how much it will cost to replace it, but they still have not paid me a cent.

“I don’t understand why they fail to attend to my request. As local government they are suppose to assist me,” he added.

After the fire fifteen of his employees were forced to look for other employment and some are still without work.

He used to produce baby marrows, tomatoes, cabbage and green beans.

As a result of the fire, he says he is losing about R50 000 a month from crop sales to local traders and various stores countrywide.

Lovers Maenetja, GLM spokesperson said the municipality is aware of Ramahala’s problems.

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“We have been in discussions with him ever since he raised the matter with the municipality.

“We have considered the allegations and remedial actions to be taken.

We are assessing a way forward and will communicate with him when the matter is finalised.”

Maenetja said that the municipality assists upcoming farmers to ensure they stay in business and are recognised in the agricultural sector.

She claims that they have supported many farmers worth millions of Rand, including Ramahala.

“Through our Farmers’ Support Programme, we have installed a borehole pump and supported him financially with R30 000 to buy equipment,” she added.

Ramahala however denies ever receiving R30 000 or a borehole pump.

At the time of going to press, communication between the two parties had broken down.