Decimation of valley under investigation

SCHOEMANSKLOOF – The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea), as well as the departments of forestry and fisheries, and water and sanitation, are investigating the alleged uncontrolled destruction of the natural habitat in the Schoemanskloof Valley.
Both the Centre for Environmental Rights and the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) have also been alerted about the activities.
Complaints were raised by the Schoemanskloof Farmers Association (SFA).
An uneasiness with the way the valley was turned into macadamia and citrus orchards in recent years, culminated in action when an EIA for the proposed Bruintjieslaagte Dam, to be built below an existing dam on Devil’s Creek, was recently submitted for approval.
This is the first EIA other landowners are aware of, and they requested previous impact assessments authorising the transformation of land into orchards from Dardlea. Vast tracts of land, which were either pristine or had been fallow for 10 years, were allegedly utilised without the necessary consent.
A more immediate concern recently arose. On at least one farm, pesticides are allegedly sprayed so close to a house that it affected residents, causing itching, blocked noses and severe headaches.
One resident alleges that the spraying is sometimes so strong the smell can be detected when outside the valley. “If I, as an adult, experience such severe discomfort, how much more would our children and small animals be affected? Even my children’s pet silkworms died from eating mulberry leaves from the tree in our yard, contaminated by the spray.”
The SFA contacted the Joubert brothers, Francois and Kobus, to whom the orchards belong, which led to a meeting between concerned parties and Joubert & Seuns’ newly appointed general manager, Lionel Eva, last week.
According to the minutes of the meeting, Eva admitted that the sprays used can kill birds and that spray cars spray insecticides directly onto residents, as the orchards are planted too close to dwellings. Certain guidelines regarding wind direction were also not adhered to.
Eva admitted that the spraying would affect people, but maintained that it was not poisonous to humans. One of the farmers, an expert on poisonous substances, insisted on better supervision and instructions to more responsible spraying, to which Eva conceded. He undertook to erect shade net barriers between orchards and dwellings where needed and suggested the forming of a committee to discuss future concerns.
Landowners are determined that the extent of deforestation be addressed, especially next to the Crocodile River and Sterkspruit.
The SFA’s previous enquiry at Dardlea resulted in a site investigation on September 27, after which Sibusiso Langa of the compliance monitoring and enforcement unit informed them that “a contravention of listed activities” was found in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, (Act 107 of 1998). Langa also said that the departments of forestry and fisheries, and water and sanitation would conduct their own investigations.
The SFA this week lodged an official complaint with the compliance monitoring and enforcement unit of Dardlea and again insisted on proof of all EIAs, Global GAP, Euro GAP, and pesticide and herbicide compliances. They requested investigations into the destruction of indigenous land, authorisations or permits for all extra agricultural developments, compliance with various water rights, and wetlands, riverfront land and riverbeds destroyed on the certain farms.
An effort to contact the Joubert brothers was redirected to Eva, who confirmed the discussion and agreements telephonically.
He promised to comment on the other issues as soon as he gets the related documents for each of the properties, since he had only been employed for six weeks and was still finding his feet.