The Parliaments Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries is seeking answers to a shooting incident at KZNs iSimangaliso Wetland Park and plans an oversite visit UPL in Durban.
This week, the committee received briefings by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Ezemvelo KZN wildlife, and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
On 12 November 2021, there were shooting incidents between rangers & poachers at Tewate, iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
One person was killed, but the body has not yet been found.
The committee also heard evidence (the poachers’ boat) was destroyed by the police while they were present.
Faith Muthambi, chairperson of the committee, wanted Ezemvelo ZZN Wildlife to explain why this particular Mduli family was again involved in this incident.
Muthambi said that the family has requested an independent investigation into the latest incident.
The committee also desired Ezemvelo WildlifeIt was to explain how it was helping local community fight unemployment, poverty, and inequality. These are very high levels in these areas and people often risk their lives just to feed their families.
The department has promised to send the committees a register of small-scale fishermen in the area.
The committee was also informed that there were 72 poaching incidents in the region, 25 of which involved firearms.
They asked the committee to report on these cases.
Portfolio committee to visit UPL Durban
A number of businesses and community groups were concerned about the UPL chemical poisoning.
The UPL fire incident occurred during the July riots.
The committee was briefed by representatives from Blackburn Village, Phoenix, Cornubia, and the Sugarcane Farmers Association.
According to Desmond DSa, SDCEAs made allegations that local communities weren’t informed about the effects of the fire on their environment or able to ask UPL any questions.
Community members who were tested at UPL clinics were not informed about the results and were not able to predict the future.
DSa informed the committee that UPL clinic staff had been asked to sign a secrecy agreement.
Jeremy Ridl, Interim Multi-Stakeholder Forum, told the committee that there has been no meaningful public engagement with affected communities.
Zameer Khan of Phoenix informed that the chemical spillage reached the Umhlanga estuary and had adversely affected fishermen’s livelihoods.
The government and UPL have not provided any assistance regarding compensation for the loss of income.
Police reported that UPL had been charged with violating the Environmental Act at the Verulam Saps Office.
As several specialist reports are still unsigned, the investigation continues. As of yet, no arrests have taken place.
The department informed the committee that the polluter pays principle was effective.
The area has been cleared of over 18 million kilograms solid waste, 58 million litres liquid, and 3,900 kilograms dead fish.
After receiving presentations from tourism, business and community stakeholders in St Lucia, the committee considered the economic, environmental, and social impacts of closing the St Lucia estuary.
The committee heard farmers tell it that they need assistance to continue farming because they can’t grow crops due to flooding.
The committee was also informed that small-scale fishers are now at risk because there are not enough fish.
Robbie Hanson is a marine scientist who told the committee that some marine species, such as the flathead-mullet, have disappeared.
The committee was informed by ratepayers and owners of tourism businesses that fishing and other events have been discontinued due to the closure of the estuary. These events used to draw many tourists to the area.
Tourism numbers are declining and the community requires that the estuary be opened again to allow the area to flourish once more.
The chairperson informed members of the meeting that UPL in Durban would be visited by the committee as part its oversight to conduct follow-up engagements.
Compiled by Narissa Subramoney
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