NEW laws that come into effect in October will force property sellers to inform purchasers (in writing) of the presence of alien plants as a condition of sale.
Failure to comply will be a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to R5-million and/or a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
While the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act will be music to the ears of the conservationists, the more practical among us will be wondering how the garden invaders will be policed.
While it would be a disaster to allow invasive plants to spread, we will need something different from new laws and hefty fines.
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