Troubled waters  Farmers prosecuted for illegally damming up Limpopo river

Lephalale – One of the major watermelon growers in the country has ignored a compliance notice issued by the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and is to appear in court on Friday 5 February. The state has accused Johan and Carel Roos of environmental crimes committed at farm Manchester 16LQ, Stockpoort, Limpopo [close to the Botswana border].

The spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) Albi Modise said that a site inspection by officials from LEDET and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) found an unauthorised dam on the farm restricting the flow of the Limpopo river on 3 April 2019. The officials noted a water pump station and associated equipment on the riverbanks. Subsequent inspections by the DEFF found several illegal large dams that were constructed on the farm and filled with water from the Limpopo river. 

Even though a compliance notice provided an opportunity for them to rectify the situation they [according to the LEDET] continued in blatant disregard of the law. A criminal investigation was initiated by the Green Scorpions from the DEFF and the director of public prosecutions instituted a prosecution against them on 30 September 2020.

Johan and Carel Roos were scheduled to appear in the Lephalale Magistrates’ Court on Monday 11 January but the proceedings could not go ahead as only Carel showed up. The court issued a warrant of arrest for Johan to secure the attendance of both men on 5 February.

Carel Roos is well-known for growing the All Sweet cultivar watermelon and has been successful in reducing the 12-year rotation cycle for planting watermelons in the same ground to five years running using soil anti-fungal fumigation. 

A local ecologist explained to Platinum Bushvelder that unauthorised dams ignore the needs of downstream water users which include other farmers and communities that rely on river water for their daily needs. The Limpopo river also supplies water to neighbouring Botswana and Zimbabwe. Environmental laws have been put in place to ensure the fair distribution of water.