Several subsistence livestock farmers in Niani outside Musina, Limpopo, have been left reeling after a massive fire destroyed one of the area’s key grazing camps.

The grazing land, known as Camp-Two, serves farmers from five nearby villages, including Bale and Manenzhe.

Last week, the blaze ravaged more than 1500 hectares of grassland.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Farmer Eric Mandiwana says they’re devastated.

“Niani people are rich in livestock. When our livestock are feeding here, we are able to monitor them. If rangers were guarding here, it would be better; now that there are no rangers, people do as they like. When it comes to the new dispensation, everything was left unattended, and it’s like we are not living in the same country. We are really struggling as farmers. This camp was one of the camps in this area that sustained our livestock. We have a lot of problems with the grazing camps, and we do not know who to run to for help.”