Thousands of locusts have descended on parts of the Western and Eastern Cape since the beginning of March.
According to a video shared on social media on Wednesday, 23 March, large swarm locusts can be seen decimating everything in their path in Steytlerville in the Eastern Cape.
Watch:
However, this is the second time locust sightings have been reported, this after the Garden Route’s District Municipality Disaster Management Centre (DMC) received reports on Monday, 15 March of a large locust swarm around the Calitzdorp area.
According to the DMC, over the past year, the increase of locust activity has become apparent, which resulted in the Department of Agriculture conducting several pesticide spraying actions in the Northern- as well as the Eastern Cape and the Central Karoo.
“However, historically these locust plagues were confined to the Northern parts of the Western Cape as well as the Central Karoo district.
“Therefore, most pro-active Department Locust Officers training was done in the Central Karoo District Municipal area,” DMC said.
Watch as Locusts descend on parts of the Karoo.
DMC went on to say that the mandate to deal with locusts lies with the National Department of Agriculture due to locusts being a migratory pest.
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Picture: Francois Brunsdon/ Facebook