By Staff Reporter
The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms. Mase Manopole, wishes to inform the community members not to panic over the passing flyers of brown locusts in our residential areas.
The Department received calls from the public after locusts were spotted in households and playing areas at various towns in the Province.
Due to recent heavy rainfalls, the MEC explained that the Province is experiencing outbreaks of locusts in districts such as Pixley Ka Seme and ZF Mgcawu.
The latest districts in which locusts were spotted are Namakwa, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Frances Baard.
“Control measures are currently being implemented to curb the new spread of the locusts in Namakwa, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Frances Baard. However, the current strong winds are supporting the flight and spread of the locusts, especially into our dwellings,” said MEC Manopole.
MEC assured the public that the locusts are not harmful, but they can destroy vegetation.
“Unfortunately, we are prohibited by law to control the spread in our dwellings because of the nature of the chemicals we are using. We urge members of the public to chase the locusts away when they are spotted in their yards and also switch off their outside lights at night.”
She further called on farmers and farmer organisations to alert the Department whenever they spot these locusts and work with officials on the ground to curb the spread of locusts.
Farmers and ordinary members of the public are advised to report the visibility of these swarms in their areas to the following departmental officials, Ms. Mulalo Matodzi on 083 326 7773, Ms. Vuyokazi Mpumlwana on 084760 8176 and Dr. Ikalafeng Kgakatsi on 072 198 9882.
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