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The iconic Pongolapoort Nature Reserve and Lake Jozini, located in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), continues to be raped by what appears to be an organised syndicate that has stripped the waters of thousands of fish each month. (view here)

Reports today indicate that a crocodile was snared in an illegal gill net, while a hippo was seen dragging a net behind it on land. These incidents come in the wake of massive gill nets – some as long as 800 metres - being recovered from the lake and river system.

Lake Jozini is one of the only freshwater lakes in the country where the predatory Tiger Fish occurs. Tiger fishing and the associated charters and tourism offerings in turn remain one of the biggest economic drivers in this region.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is aghast at the level of fish poaching that has been allowed to take place right under the noses of government.

Photographic and video evidence points to hundreds of fish being indiscriminately caught in gill nets. Clearly, this is not the work of subsistence anglers – but rather an organised syndicate that randomly rapes the lake for its natural resources.

The DA has today submitted a set of written parliamentary questions to KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC, Ravi Pillay, asking exactly how and why Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) has allowed this wholesale destruction to continue.

Additionally, the DA will soon be conducting a detailed oversight visit of the lake and Ezemvelo facilities to gauge the full extent of the problem.

The wanton netting and destruction of a one-of-a-kind lake such as Jozini could soon have major tourism ramifications if Ezemvelo, National Government and the SAPS don’t get to grips with the rot that has set in at Jozini.

Issued by DA KZN Spokesperson on EDTEA, Heinz de Boer, MPL