Ezemvelo CEO, Bandile Mkhize, could face 10 years imprisonment as well as a fine of up to R10m if he is found guilty of violating environment legislation by aiding the draining and destruction of the Balamhlanga Wetlands near Jozini in KwaZulu Natal.
During the past few weeks, bulldozers have ploughed a massive herringbone trench system to drain the wetlands. Ezemvelo recently appointed construction workers and engineers by order of the Department of Agriculture to drain the wetlands, and bulldoze the area to eradicate the so-called indigenous reeds in a R25-million project.
Piet-Louis Grundling, Chairman of the SA Wetland Society and the International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG), says the reason the excavation is taking place is still unclear. “Who knows what the reasons are. Ignorance? Greed? The official documentation is very vague. Reasons now being given range from wetland rehab to draining for cattle grazing. The work done thus far looks to me like draining for sugar cane cultivation.”
With regard to Ezemvelo’s alleged involvement in the destruction of the wetlands, Grundling says it’s simply criminal. “Can we trust them to look after other biodiversity treasures, such as our rhino? The IMCG is really disappointed that a near pristine wetland of significance is being destroyed with government funds. Especially at a time when government programmes such as Working for Wetlands are doing their utmost to protect and rehabilitate degraded wetlands.”
Albi Modise, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Affairs, told Tourism Upate that the Department was currently investigating the exact extent of the damage that had been caused to the wetland as well as what had led to the current situation. He added that investigations were still under way and that no one had been found guilty as yet.