Farmers threaten to march on iSimangaliso

Following the threat of protest action by local farmers, iSimangaliso Wetland Park has reiterated that it ‘remains committed to being part of the collective all-inclusive process working within the prescripts of the law’.

Dukuduku subsistence farmers have been vocal regarding challenges related to back-flooding, with crops destroyed by the inundation of water on their land.

The farmers approached the municipality to obtain a certificate to stage a march to the park, where they would demand a resolution in the form of manually opening the St Lucia mouth.

The park’s media liaison officer, Bheki Manzini said ‘some instigators’ were spreading ‘incorrect information’ regarding the opening of the mouth, which in January breached naturally.

“The lake is connected to the sea, and the water from the rivers is flowing into the sea. The recent heavy rains experienced in most parts of KZN made it possible for the lake to breach naturally.

“The mouth is not closed, so it is irresponsible of anyone to mislead the communities, fabricating incorrect information.

“It’s important for all stakeholders to work together towards finding a solution to the water inundation on farms in the floodplain,” said Manzini.

On Monday, the farmers reportedly could not meet with the speaker of Mtubatuba Municipality, Sbongile Shezi, who had – according to one farmer – committed to a stakeholder meeting with the affected parties.

Farmer Busisiwe Zikhali previously told the Eyethu Bay Watch that the 10 January natural breaching of the estuary had made an insignificant decrease to the water levels which flood their fields, hence their continued protests. This has been an ongoing problem.

In 2022, 70 Dukuduku residents were arrested for allegedly illegally invading the Futululu Forest outside St Lucia, claiming they needed it for farming to replace their flooded lands.

The residents were later released on a warning by the court.

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