Locust Swarms Engulf Western Cape

Locust swarms engulf Western Cape – top ‘outbreak hot-spots’ MAPPED

Tom Head

The Western Cape is facing an almighty battle to contain several locust swarms, as outbreaks continue to decimate crops and put the local farming industry at risk.

WESTERN CAPE UNDER SIEGE FROM LOCUST SWARMS

Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape’s MEC for Agriculture, has confirmed that his department is now seeking a disaster declaration for the province. The regional government has already ploughed R5 million into tackling these infestations, but they are still in need of more assistance.

• Swarms have recently been reported in Merweville, Prince Albert, Beaufort West, and Kliprand.
• It’s understood that the locusts are predominantly in the Central Karoo, Port Alfred, and Garden Route districts.
• However, the northern tip of the province’s West Coast has also been described as ‘an affected area’.
• Data made available to the Western Cape Government reveals that the locust swarms are ‘heading east’.
• WC officials have sounded the alarm for their counterparts in the Northern and Eastern Capes, too.

A map of the worst affected areas has been made public this week. Kliprand is an outlier, and most of the locust swarms are based in eastern parts of the province. Calitzdorp, Murraysburg, and Laingsburg are also in the firing line.