WATCH: Mfolozi River swollen after rains, raises ongoing back-flooding issue

Recent heavy rains caused the Mfolozi River to come down in flood, in turn resurfacing an ongoing issue of back-flooding which adversely impacts farmers who plant in close proximity.

By Wednesday, farmers affected by the Mfolozi and Msunduzi rivers complained severely about damage caused by the back-flooding to their crops.

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They said this brings into sharp focus the issue of dredging, which was late last year refused by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), with an appeal filed by the responsible authority, iSimangaliso Wetland Park on 18 November 2024.

The appeal was filed against a DFFE decision refusing its application to dredge the inundated Msunduzi and Mfolozi flats.

The decision was strongly criticised by farmers, including chairperson of the Sokhulu Community Agricultural Co-operative, Marvin Hlongwane and a representative of the committee of farmers from kwaSokhulu, Njabulo Mbuyazi.

Hlongwane said, because the Mfolozi River is full, it is back-flooding into the Msunduzi and ultimately onto the farming fields at kwaSokhulu.

Regarding dredging, Hlongwane said there have been no updates communicated to farmers, with no meetings held.

“There is no word from iSimangaliso,” said Hlongwane.

Mbuyazi said the back-flooding had made the farming fields inaccessible even on foot.

“This is hurting us badly. Our crops are covered in water,” said Mbuyazi, who added that according to an official at the park authority, a decision on the appeal is due to be issued on 29 January.

Another farmer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation by Wednesday was not looking good, with water levels increasing speedily and this expected to continue in the coming days.

This farmer was of the view that had the dredging been done, the back-flooding may not have been as severe.

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