LIMPOPO – A cleanup operation on Saturday, November 23, at Blyde Bridge near Jonkmanspruit has highlighted severe environmental and humanitarian challenges in the area.

The effort, led by Friends of the Blyde with support from local volunteers, farmers, and municipal staff, focussed on the polluted area beneath the bridge, a hotspot for illegal waste disposal, poaching, and human rights concerns.

“The area under Blyde Bridge has suffered significant environmental degradation over the years due to improper waste disposal by residents of the Blyde Stalletjies,” said MJ du Preez of Friends of the Blyde.

“Waste including nappies, household trash, and human waste has been carelessly discarded into the river, polluting the water and endangering local humans and wildlife.”

During the cleanup, volunteers and local farmers worked tirelessly to remove large volumes of rubbish. However, Du Preez emphasised that this is only a temporary solution, and the situation remains dire. The presence of illegal fishing nets and animal snares in the river further exacerbates the environmental threat.

“During the cleanup, multiple gill nets and snares were removed, highlighting the growing poaching problem in the area,” he said. “Illegal fishing and wildlife poaching are rampant, endangering local biodiversity and contributing to the ongoing degradation of the river’s ecosystem.”

Equally alarming are the living conditions of the people residing at the Stalletjies. “Approximately 18 children under the age of two years old were found living in unsafe and unhygienic conditions,” Du Preez said.

Most residents are believed to be illegal foreigners, living in overcrowded and inhumane conditions. The children are particularly at risk due to the lack of hygiene, safe shelter, and their proximity to the main road. On average, three pedestrians die per year in and around the Blyde area due to traffic accidents, often caused by intoxicated residents, poor visibility at night, and a high volume of people crossing the road.

While the cleanup operation was an important first step, Du Preez stressed the need for more comprehensive action to address the root causes of pollution in the area. “The Blyde River is a vital resource for Hoedspruit and surrounding communities, and its ongoing pollution poses a direct threat to the health and well-being of residents,” he told the Herald.

The pollution, combined with the illegal activities at Blyde Bridge, threatens both the local environment and the livelihoods of those who rely on the river for water, agriculture, and tourism.

Gary Mitchell, chairman of Friends of the Blyde, called for immediate and decisive action. “We need to restore the Blyde River’s health and address the growing humanitarian crisis at Blyde Bridge,” he said. “This is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of public health.”

As the situation at Blyde Bridge continues to worsen, the community is calling for a coordinated, long-term strategy that includes law enforcement, community engagement, and environmental restoration.

“Without urgent intervention, the challenges facing the Blyde River and its surrounding communities could escalate into an even bigger ecological crisis,” Mitchell warned. Friends of the Blyde thanked the volunteers, local farms, their staff, SkipGo, the Maruleng Local Municipality, the Hoedspruit Traffic Department, Hlokomela, K2C, Farm Watch, and all the donations that made the cleanup operation a success.