Several regions in the Northern Cape are experiencing brown locust outbreaks, while a warning has been issued for other areas in the Province.
UPINGTON, Kliprand, Gamoep, Carnarvon and Louriesfontein are experiencing brown locust outbreaks, while a warning has been issued for other areas of the Northern Cape.
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform spokesperson Zandisile Luphahla on Tuesday attributed the outbreak to the warm weather and moist soil after recent rains in some parts of the Province.
“More outbreaks are expected in other districts as the weather becomes warmer and rain is expected in various parts of the Province,” said Luphahla.
“With the assistance from the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, teams of locust controllers were activated and dispatched to control the locust outbreaks in affected areas and nearby farms in the Province.”
The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, called on land owners and farmers to allow control teams access onto their premises to control the locust swarms.
She also cautioned motorists to drive carefully when driving through a swarm. “The roads become slippery as a result of hoppers (baby locusts) moving from nearby farms onto the main roads.”
Members of the public and farmers are requested to report any sightings of these swarms in their area to the following departmental officials: Mulalo Matodzi on 083 326 7773, Vuyokazi Mpumlwana on 084 760 8176 and Dr Ikalafeng Kgakatsi on 072 198 9882.
