The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo calls upon the ANC-led Limpopo Provincial Government and the MMSEZ developer to engage in an honest and open conversation with stakeholders, including farmers, communities, and environmentalists, regarding the SEZ.
Once again, the contentious and much-maligned Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) has become the center of controversy. This time, the issue involves the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (LEDET) granting a permit to the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) to remove approximately 9,000 protected trees from the northern sector of the MMSEZ.
Additionally, reports indicate that the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) for the MMSEZ is seeking a permit from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment to remove a further 658,058 protected trees for the remainder of the development.
The MMSEZ has been surrounded by controversy since its inception. At the heart of this issue is the governance of the initiative by the ANC-led provincial government, particularly regarding its openness and accountability in decision-making to date.
As the DA in Limpopo, we support all reasonable and responsible means to ignite our economy, attract investment, and create much-needed job opportunities.
Currently, the MMSEZ divides both society and business. The farming sector, environmentalists, and indigenous communities all have valid concerns. Yet, it seems evident that the provincial government is determined to proceed at any cost.
The serious controversies surrounding the MMSEZ underscore the complex balance the government must maintain between promoting economic development and safeguarding environmental and water resources, as well as community welfare. The future of the MMSEZ will likely depend on how these issues are addressed, including finding sustainable water solutions, protecting local communities, and ensuring transparency in decision-making.
The DA in Limpopo reiterates our call for an open and honest conversation among the ANC-led provincial government, the developer, and the Limpopo stakeholders affected by the MMSEZ.
While the DA supports the need for urgent economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities, we believe in governance that is transparent, open, and accountable.