KZN Cabinet approves MEC's plan for Ndumo

This week the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet accepted provincial Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Minister Mtholephi Mthimkulu's proposal for an integrated plan for the area. The MEC said his plan would provide a more sustainable solution than de-proclaiming part of the reserve. The plan includes improving service delivery, better access to clinics and schools and increased interaction with communities. The Landless People's Movement (LPM) has called for all animals to be removed from Ndumo. LPM national organiser Mangaliso Kubheka threatened action if the LPM's demands were not met, adding that the July invasion 'was nothing compared with what we are capable of'. However, a report in The Mercury notes that hundreds of farmers will be allowed to plant crops inside the boundaries of Ndumo. A substantially larger chunk of the park will be effectively neutralised for conservation purposes by the creation of a new 'controlled agricultural zone' in the south-east corner. However, the exact location and physical boundaries of the 20 ha farming zone at Ndumo remain unclear. Full Mail & Guardian Online report Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)