Msukaligwa municipal grass harvested and sold illegally
Local residents have been sharing images of the freshly cut grass, which is being offered for sale at a price of around R20 per section.
ERMELO – Highvelder has learnt that a group of men have been illegally harvesting grass from municipal veld and selling it to the community.
The publication observed this activity in the open veld behind Ligbron Academy of Technology at the intersection of Voortrekker and President Fouche streets, where the men were seen digging up sections of grass and loading them onto a trailer.
Some residents shared photographs of the harvested grass, which is being sold for about R20 per section at a nearby street corner.
The land in question is municipal property. In response to Highvelder’s enquiry, Mandla Zwane, the spokesperson for the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, confirmed the activity’s illegality.
“I have notified our parks section, and they have assured me they will address the issue and stop them immediately. According to them, it is not permissible to remove grass from municipal areas, as it disrupts the local biodiversity.”
After Highvelder had left the area, a woman driving a Bantam bakkie was seen allegedly purchasing several sections of grass from these men.
