KwaZulu-Natal’s agriculture and environment minister on Tuesday threatened to prosecute residents in the north of the province who have invaded the Ndumo Game Reserve on the Mozambican border.
Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said that while he understood the plight of residents, ”we do not allow criminal elements to break the laws of the country”.
Mthimkhulu was speaking at a press conference in Durban following reports of land invasions in the reserve, which was established in 1924.
The Mercury newspaper earlier this month reported that the land invaders had destroyed more than 11km of boundary fencing — which would cost about R800 000 to replace.
The park — popular among bird watchers — is situated on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique, about 400km north of Durban.
It is protected as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and is home to hippo, buffalo, crocodile and rhino.
The park was subject to a land claim in which 114 households lodged claims for 1 200 hectares of the park.
The claim was settled in 2000. An agreement was reached that allowed residents access to the land along the Pongola River, but they had agreed not to settle on the land.
Mthimkhulu said that the complaints raised by members of the Mbangweni and Bhekabantu clans at a recent meeting were being resolved.
He declined to answer questions on whether a portion of the park, which was managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, would be ”de-proclaimed”.
He said that he could not discuss solutions to the crisis until it had been presented to the provincial cabinet. – Sapa