Proceedings of the national assembly
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
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- 3.2 Site visits During the oversight visit, the delegation visited the following projects (25 and 26 November 2014): 3.2.1 Vukuzenzele Cooperative (uMkhanyakude District)
- 3.2.2 Makhathini Cotton Ginnery (uMkhanyakude District)
- 3.2.3 Makhathini Irrigation Scheme (uMkhanyakude District)
- 3.2.4 Site Visit to uMhlabuyalingana Abattoir
- 3.2.5 Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) Red Line Fence
- 3.2.6 Gobindlala/Biva/Senzokuhle Project (uMkhanyakude District)
- 3.2.7 Kosi Bay Fishing Communities (uMkhanyakude District)
- 3.2.8 Nkundusi Fishing Communities (uThungulu District)
- COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
3.1.3 Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) Dr Mtshali, the Head of Veterinary Services in the Province, gave a background and an overview of FMD in the Province including the current status and the impending visit by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in December 2014. He indicated that the Province was currently implementing the red line fence and further explained other control measures that were implemented by the Province to control livestock movements between the FMD-infected zone, the high surveillance zone and the FMD-free zones. These measures included use of different coloured ear tags and blood testing as FMD in the area is not cosmetic (i.e. no external symptoms on infected animals). Dr Mtshali also highlighted the high costs of dipping for livestock in the high surveillance zone in particular, as animals need to be tested every two weeks. 3.2 Site visits During the oversight visit, the delegation visited the following projects (25 and 26 November 2014): 3.2.1 Vukuzenzele Cooperative (uMkhanyakude District) The Vukuzenzele Cooperative project is a subsistence farmer cooperative that is located at Jozini Local Municipality within uMkhanyakude District. It is at Isqakatha under the Traditional Leadership of Local Headman Gumede. The project was established in 1995, it has 73 beneficiaries and is 54 hectares in extent (each has approximately 0.7 ha). It is a crop production project that focuses on grain and vegetables, mainly, maize, tomatoes, green pepper, sweet potatoes and some sugar cane. According to the Department, the budget allocation for the project was R344 925.00 for 2014/15 financial year, which was allocated through the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP). On site, the project beneficiaries reported that they receive very little assistance and support from DARD (Provincial Department) and even when they do, the services are not consistent. They said that the services that they occasionally receive were limited to seed packs and tractor ploughing, which is not generally carried out for everybody at the same time. At the time of the visit, only 2 portions (approximately 4 ha) were ploughed as the tractor had to leave the area and plough elsewhere. The Provincial Department reported that Jozini Local Municipality was allocated only 6 tractors for 20 Wards. Some of the challenges that were reported by beneficiaries were lack of an efficient irrigation system, fencing, mechanisation and inability to secure markets within the District or the Province. While water is available in the area, the beneficiaries reported that the irrigation system was built for rice production some decades ago, a project that never took off as it was not economically viable. They said the waterlogging from the system damages their vegetables and the canal that was put in by the Provincial Department through Umjindi has not improved the situation. The beneficiaries mentioned that the existing irrigation system, besides the damage to vegetables, does not efficiently cover the whole area. In addition, the fence that they had was damaged and never fixed by Umjindi when they were constructing the canal. They said reports and complaints by beneficiaries to DARD and Umjindi regarding the waterlogging and fencing had not yielded any result. The project beneficiaries further reported that without access to bigger markets, they sell their produce to Jozini, which is a small town and to street vendors. In this regard, individuals have to hire their own transport to take their produce to Jozini. Due to lack of infrastructure such as pack houses and storage facilities, the beneficiaries also reported that they had to sometimes sell their produce at low cost to avoid wastage. The project beneficiaries proposed that they be assisted with their own tractor instead of relying on the 6 tractors that are shared among 20 Wards; and for the Department to fix the fence and the irrigation scheme. 3.2.2 Makhathini Cotton Ginnery (uMkhanyakude District) The Makhathini Flats projects in the northern part of the KZN Province is divided into two sectors, the Makhathini Cotton Ginnery and Makhathini Irrigation Scheme. The Managing Director (MD) of Makhathini Cotton Ginnery (Mr Phenias Gumede) gave a brief background and explained the status of the Ginnery as follows: He reported that the Makhathini Cotton Ginnery was established in 1997 in response to the potential that could be offered by genetically modified (GM) crops. In that year, South Africa passed the Genetically Modified Organisms Act (Act No. 15 of 1997), making it the first nation in Africa to legislate the dissemination of GM technology. In 1998, the transnational biotechnology (biotech) company, Monsanto, completed its government-regulated trials on GM seed and made its patented biotech cotton seed. In 2001, a group of farmers were encouraged by Government to invest in cotton and make use of the Makhathini Cotton Ginnery. In 2003, production reportedly increased from 2 774 to 14 600 bales of cotton lint. The ginnery was closed down at the end of 2007 due to liquidation, which was finalised by the end of 2009. Approximately 2 500 farmers were affected by the closure, which happened during harvest time; and their cotton was transported to Loskop Cotton Ginnery in Limpopo. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Forestry (DAFF) assisted farmers for two seasons in transporting their cotton to Limpopo. In 2010, DAFF purchased the ginnery for R30 million for the farmers. Although the ginnery is farmer-driven, the number of farmers utilising it have since declined to approximately 600 farmers as most were severely affected by the liquidation. In 2012, DAFF further committed R20 million to refurbish the gin and fix vandalised equipment - 3 out of 5 gin stands were refurbished. It was reported that farmers started operating the ginnery in 2012/13 and the ginnery currently employs 18 permanent employees and 47-59 seasonal employees. It was reported that approximately 2-3% of cotton is grown under the adjacent Makhathini Flats Irrigation Scheme, the rest is grown as dryland cotton. The ginnery also buys cotton from Mpumalanga Province. The Provincial Department was providing some mechanisation assistance for the 2014/15 financial year but no assistance with production inputs. The MD reported that as the ginnery needs to increase its production to ensure its sustainability, a five-year plan has been developed that will assist the ginnery to sustain itself. The implementation of the plan will need approximately R280 million. 3.2.3 Makhathini Irrigation Scheme (uMkhanyakude District) The Makhathini Irrigation projects are located in the Makhathini Flats area in Jozini Local Municipality within uMkhanyakude District. The sub-schemes under the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme that are supported by the Department are Indumo A, Indumo B, Indumo C, Khwehle and Nondabuya. The farmers use the Irrigation Scheme for planting of vegetables, maize, potatoes, beans and cotton, which assist them in growing crops in all seasons. The Scheme plays a very important role in job creation as there is high unemployment rate in the area, employing about 145 permanent employees and 360 temporary employees. There are five cooperatives that operate in Makhathini Irrigation Scheme who also engaged with the delegation, namely: Zamukuphila Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative The cooperative has 38 beneficiaries operating in 123 hectares of land under irrigation. Their main challenges were access to market for their fruit and vegetables as the market at Makhathini is mainly for cotton; and assistance with fixing their centre pivot that was destroyed by wind and another one that was vandalised. The beneficiaries indicated that they have reported the matter of the pivots to Mjindi but no response and assistance has been received. Mjindi Women’s Secondary Cooperative The Secondary cooperative (coop) has 15 primary coops (30 beneficiaries) that are operating in 130 hectares of land under irrigation. They are operating on a lease from the DRDLR. The coop get assistance from the Cotton Ginnery, Government has assisted them with fencing and their main challenge is access to market. Makhathini Nursery (Agricultural) Cooperative The cooperative was part of the Ginnery that was liquidated and later bought by DAFF in 2010. The coop was started in August 2010 and has 20 beneficiaries that operates in 250 hectares of land under irrigation. One of the main challenges is also access to markets and lack of agrologistics – they mentioned that the area is approximately 35 km from the railway line. The beneficiaries highlighted that farmers in the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme have been asking for an agroprocessing plant and advanced mechanisation technology from the Department (through Mjindi) but to no avail. Jozini Value-adding Centre The beneficiaries’ report was in contrast to what was earlier reported by one of the Provincial Department’s officials who claimed that the Value-adding Centre was fully operational. However, when Members of the delegation requested access to the facility, they were told that the person who keeps the keys was unavailable. The beneficiaries reported that the Centre was built by COGTA but is not yet operational as it is incomplete. It is supposed to be used by 18 coops who all plant vegetables on land that was supplied by COGTA. The coops supply the Departments of Education and Health with vegetables. The beneficiaries indicated that the Provincial Department assisted them with 4 tractors and agricultural starter packs. However, they would like Government to assist them by completing the Value-adding Centre and transportation of their products. Sugar Cane Producers Association The Association constitutes 14 coops. Its main challenge is that they do not have their own sugar mill; and transport to where sugar mills are is very costly. Sometimes due to long distances to sugar mills, some of the sugar cane loses value, which further result in loss of revenue for farmers. Another challenge that was reported by the Association was access to markets and lack of storage facilities. As access to markets and transportation was a general major challenge across all coops, it was reported that the Provincial Department’s Agricultural Economics Section was in the process of negotiating with different relevant institutions to secure markets for the Cooperatives as well as assisting with transportation. 3.2.4 Site Visit to uMhlabuyalingana Abattoir The Committee delegation also visited the planned abattoir that is located in uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, adjacent to the FMD red line fence and approximately 45 km away from Makhathini Flats. The delegation was informed that the abattoir is 20% (still a foundation) under construction and should be finished by March 2016. It was reported that the construction is being done in two phases, the first one being the construction phase and the second one being the facilities or equipment installation. Two contractors were appointed to carry out the different phases. 3.2.5 Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) Red Line Fence On the way to Gobindlala Commercial Production in uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, the delegation also visited the FMD red line fence. The delegation was informed that the fence is still under construction and the Provincial Department reported that the construction will be finalised by March 2015. Members of the Committee delegation raised a concern that in the previous presentation by DAFF (national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) it was reported that the fence will be finalised before the OIE evaluation visit on 5 December 2014. Of concern to the Members was whether the finalisation of the fence would not affect the South African FMD-free status during the OIE evaluation. The Province responded that their understanding of the process was that the visit by the OIE was based on compliance and commitment not necessarily on the finalisation of the process. 3.2.6 Gobindlala/Biva/Senzokuhle Project (uMkhanyakude District) In a project list that was submitted to the Committee by the Department, the project was listed as Gobindlala commercial maize production with 50 beneficiaries under communal land; operating on 100 hectares and was allocated approximately R689 000 for the 2014/15 financial year. However, on engagement with the delegation, the project beneficiaries indicated that the project is Senzokuhle, also called Biva and was initiated in 1998; and Gobindlala is a sub-project of Senzokuhle/Biva. The project is located at kwaMashabane Traditional Council in uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality. The extent of the project is 415 hectares with 140 beneficiaries, 40 of whom are involved in the Gobindlala vegetable project mainly for subsistence. It was reported that Gobindlala project is allocated 14 hectares but operates on approximately 5 hectares of land. Senzokuhle Project produces maize, dry beans, jugo beans, cow peas, cassava, sweet potato, groundnuts and cotton. Maize production is mainly for subsistence but when there is surplus, it is sold. Cotton is grown for commercial purposes and is sold at Makhathini Cotton Ginnery. The Department assists the project with technical services (extension), mechanisation (tractor ploughing) and sometimes with agricultural seed packs. The beneficiaries indicated that of the 415 total hectares, they were utilising approximately 35 – 40 hectares as they have no fencing to keep animals away. The beneficiaries indicated that they would like to expand the area under production and emphasised the need for assistance with fencing to keep livestock away from fields and water for irrigation as they currently produce on dry land. 3.2.7 Kosi Bay Fishing Communities (uMkhanyakude District) Members of the fishing communities acknowledged the assistance that they receive from Masifundise/Coastal Links regarding information through Workshops on their rights, fishing laws, policies and how to subsist from fisheries resources in a sustainable manner. They indicated that Masifundise/Coastal Links is a non-profit organisation that does not get Government funding but assist coastal fishing communities with advice and technical assistance. In KZN, Coastal Links has five branches, namely, Umkhanyakude, Ugu, Uthungulu, Ethekwini Metro and Ilembe. It was reported that the Kosi Bay Fishing Communities under Coastal Links comprise of 11 fishing communities i.e. KwaDapha, KwaGeorge, KwaMvutshane, Mabibi, Malangeni, Mzambane, Mnyayisa, Mpukane, Mqobela, Nkovukeni and Novunya that are engaged in smallscale fishing. The Kosi Bay Fishing Communities project through Coastal Links, employs a total of eight seven (87) people as Catch Data Monitors from the Kosi Bay Fishing Communities, consisting of sixty six (66) males and twenty one (21) females. The project also employs two (2) environmental officers who service the Kosi Bay communities as well as other north region communities with technical assistance. The community members reported that they were all originally from the Kosi Bay coast (born and bred) and were forcibly removed from the area during the apartheid government’s forced removals in the 1980’s; and moved further inland away from the coast. However, because the only source of livelihood that they know is fishing, they still make use of Kosi Lake where they have family kraals that were allocated by their Traditional Leaders when they lived in the area. As most of the people in the area are unemployed, the little that they get from fishing kraals assist for subsistence but is not enough to sustain families. They mentioned that since the area was proclaimed a heritage site, the former Natal Parks Board, now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife denied the communities access to the area and particularly to the ocean, claiming they have no permits. The community indicated that there are media and television crews and tourist groups that pay substantial fees to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for access to the area and to take videos of the fishing kraals but the communities who own those fishing kraals do not derive any benefit from such revenue. The community members also highlighted their suffering since the removal from the area including continuing oppressive rules from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) through iSimangaliso Wetland Park and arrests by the provincial Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The community members reported that they have lodged a claim around 1997against their ancestral land along the coast but have never received a response or any assistance from the DRDLR (formerly the Department of Land Affairs) regarding their claim since then. The community members also reported that in the area there used to be Primary and Secondary Schools, a clinic, a police station, and a Methodist Church Mission, which were all moved to Manguzi (nearby town). As a result, their children had to attend school some distances away. The community members mentioned that they had hoped that the new Smallscale Fisheries (SSF) Policy of DAFF will assist them in getting access to ocean fishing, which is currently the domain of a selected few. However, they were no longer hopeful as it has come to their attention that DAFF is contracting service providers to implement the SSF Policy in coastal provinces. Unfortunately in KZN, that service provider is Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, which is currently abusing its powers and mistreating community members. The community members indicated that there is no positive working relationship with Ezemvelo Wildlife and/or iSimangaliso Wetland Park and urged the Portfolio Committee through DAFF, to address the challenge with immediate effect. The community indicated that they understand that it may be impossible to be restored to the land of their birth. However, they believe that they should be compensated for their loss, benefit from revenue that Ezemvelo Wildlife generates through gate fees and access for video making into the area, and also be given access to the ocean in order for them to make a living. The community members also indicated that they understand that fisheries resources are not infinite, therefore, they would appreciate other economic development ventures that will benefit the communities and create job opportunities. 3.2.8 Nkundusi Fishing Communities (uThungulu District) The Nkundusi Fishing Communities are part of the Central Region of Masifundise/Coastal Links. The Nkundusi Fishing Communities project under Coastal Links comprises 300 beneficiaries and is located on Ward 9 of Mtubatuba Local Municipality under the Traditional Leadership of Inkosi Mkhwanazi. The area is close to Lake St Lucia. The community members mentioned that they were historically fishing as traditional fishers until they joined Masifundise/Coastal Links in 2010/11. They reported that they were also forcefully removed and their homes bulldozed in some of their areas; currently have no fishing rights to these areas and are expected to pay to access the areas, which are now part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park that is a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The community reported that they had lodged a land claim in September 1996 and never received a response but told by Ezemvelo officials that they will never get their land back. The members of the community also mentioned that there is a company called Siyaqhubeka that is operating forestry plantations on some of their land and has claimed that it is renting the land from DAFF. The community members further reported that some of them whose homes were bulldozed were later given offers of R10 000 each by DAFF as a once-off rental not compensation. Some community members rejected the offer as they expected a response regarding their restitution claim. The community highlighted that they were never even consulted before the areas that they used to fish from, for subsistence, were proclaimed as protected areas, which are now under iSimangaliso Heritage Site. The communities raised their concerns with DAFF but were told that there was nothing that DAFF can do as the final agreement was reached between DAFF and DEA. It was was reported that while community members are not given fishing permits, when they fish at sea, just to make a living, they get assaulted and even killed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officials. When such cases were reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), little progress has been made in prosecuting the responsible Ezemvelo officials. The Committee was told there were isolated cases where certain people won cases against Ezemvelo because they could afford to pay for a lawyer. However, for most people in the community, who are unemployed, there’s never any progress with their reported cases. Another challenge that the community constantly experiences is damage that is caused by hippopotamuses (hippos) to their fields, property and sometimes livestock. The community was concerned that they cannot even kill the hippos as they are protected by law but they do not get compensated for their lost livelihoods (fields and livestock) and properties. Community members mentioned that they have repeatedly reported their plight and challenges to DAFF but to no avail; and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is never interested in engaging with them. It was further reported that in March 2014, out of desperation, the community members were part of a march led by Masifundise/Coastal Links to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife offices to raise their concerns with the harassment they endure from the agency officials. The community indicated that they would appreciate Government intervention regarding the continuing harassment by Ezemvelo KZN Wildilfe, addressing the restrictive DEA laws that prevents them from eking out a living from coastal resources and provision of fencing to prevent the damage that is caused by hippos on their properties. The community members further highlighted that Government need to recognise that not all fishing communities use the same methods. While at Kosi Bay they use kraals and traps, at Nkundusi they used nets and therefore, need at least 150 m line permits instead of 30 m to be able to make a living. The community members further requested Government assistance in the economic development of the area from coastal resources and the development of the potential for agritourism and salt development.
The Portfolio Committee, having interacted with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the projects management teams including the beneficiaries of the different projects, concluded as follows:
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