Mpumalanga premier oversees Songimvelo Nature Reserve’s fencing project
Some community members had raised their concerns on the issue of the dilapidated fence that has allowed wild animals to pass through and destroy their crops.
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane unveiled a fencing project at Songimvelo Nature Reserve in Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality on Friday April 12.
Songimvelo’s fence had been destroyed by wild animals, mostly elephants, that continuously escape from their habitat and damage farmers’ crops, mostly from Mooiplaas towards Ekulindeni.
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Accompanied by MEC Busisiwe Shiba, executive mayors, traditional leaders and senior government officials, they also visited farmers at Steynsdorp who benefited from an irrigation infrastructure programme.
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“There are animals that go astray causing havoc around the community. As a result of that some end up been butchered. This does not do justice to both the animals and community at large. We are on a drive as the provincial government to erect a fence to protect the wild animals and the community. We have already started putting up the 80km-long fence. We started at the spot which the animals use to escape the KNP and head towards the community and agricultural areas,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
