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Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, has placed veterinary teams and health practitioners on alert following devastating veld fires over the weekend between Kokstad and Matatiele.
He told Algoa FM News that they are coordinating with local farmers to assess what appears to be extensive damage to large tracts of land.
Qoboshiyane says many animals perished in the blaze.
"It has been confirmed, there has been veld fires that occurred over the weekend. There were no deaths recorded but many animals perished."
Meanwhile, SABC is reporting that at least seven people were killed in the fires, and that the toll could still rise.
Kwazulu Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance, Lenox Mabaso, was quoted as saying that relief operations are underway.
