PRESS RELEASE: BULLDOZING THE BAOBABS - Should 600,000 protected trees be destroyed to make way for the MMSEZ?

PRESS RELEASE: 06 November 2024

BULLZOZING THE BAOBABS

Should 600,000 protected trees be destroyed to make way for coal-fuelled industrial development?

Over 125,000 hectares of indigenous vegetation in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve will be stripped away for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone and the 10 new open-cast coal mines that will supply the industrial zone.

LICENSE TO DESTROY PROTECTED TREES

Living Limpopo has obtained records connected to licences to destroy the protected trees on the MMSEZ sites, which reveal that 658,058 protected trees, including 10,000 Baobabs, will have to be cut down on the 8,000 Ha South Site, and a further 10,000 at the 3,500 Ha North Site.

The records were released by the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment in response to an application under the Protection of Access to Information Act made by  All Rise Attorneys for Climate and Environmental Justice acting for Living Limpopo and CALS. The bundle of documents received suggests that of the multiple applications lodged by the MMSEZ since 2020, two licences have so far been granted, both for the North Site – in 2023 and renewed on 20 May 2024 for the destruction of 1,000 Baobab, Marula, Leadwood and Shepherds trees.

DISCREPANCIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The 2022 application for approval to ‘cut using chainsaws into stumps’ 658,058 protected trees on the South Site, dwarfs the estimated 109,034 protected trees on the site given in the 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken for the site’s establishment. Many experts at the time argued that the assessment was grossly flawed, but in July 2022, environmental authorisation was granted regardless.

The true number of trees and other vegetation that will ultimately be destroyed in a vast swathe of the Vhembe converted from natural to coal mining and heavy industry, remains unknown. What is certain, is that the impact on the health of both the savanna biome ecosystem and the surrounding communities will be devastating.

CAMPAIGN ACTION

We have launched an inquiry into the legal status of the North Site of the MMSEZ, and will continue to monitor the licensing of protected tree destruction at all sites of the SEZ and the planned new coal mines.

We have opposed the approval of the Water Use License, the Township Establishment and are participating in the Environmental Impact Assessment process and emissions licence applications for the ferrochrome smelter, coal washery and coking plants at the MMSEZ South Site.

The judicial review case brought in December 2022 by Living Limpopo, CALS and others against the decision to grant environmental authorisation for site establishment at the South Site, is still pending. All Rise will be in an unopposed hearing in the Polokwane High Court on 6 December to finally determine issues relating to the record of decision.

Stop the unfolding tragedy. Join the movement at www.livinglimpopo.org/join-us

ENDS

MORE INFORMATION:

●     Further information on the EIA and public participation process for the MMSEZ South Site projects is available here

●     Further information on Living Limpopo is available here

●     Contacts:

○     Lauren Liebenberg (Living Limpopo): lauren@livinglimpopo.org

○     Kirsten Youens (All Rise): kyouens@allrise.org.za

Background:

The Vhembe Biosphere Reserve region in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province possesses some of South Africa’s most unique and pristine natural landscapes. The creation of a 60 Km2 heavy industrial zone in the region known as the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone threatens to cause severe and irreversible degradation: The MMSEZ, a joint China-South Africa state-backed industrial mega-project focused on steel manufacture, is ultra- high risk, both economically and environmentally. Its cumulative impact, not least in driving the exploitation of the Greater Soutpansberg Coalfield, will be catastrophic in this water-scarce and sensitive region. Site establishment for the industrial zones will require the clearance of large tracts of indigenous vegetation, much of it classified as a critical biodiversity area. The destruction of all specimens of protected tree species must be separately licensed.