Joint statement by Minister Barbara Creecy and Minister Senzo Mchunu on the spraying of a sub-lethal chemical in the Vaal River

17 February 2024

The Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, and Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, have noted public concerns related to the use of chemical, glyphosate, to clear alien invasive plants from the Vaal River by Rand Water.

Following the complaints in the public domain, the two ministers and other relevant parties met and agreed to determine whether the clearing methods followed were in line with the regulatory environment and to devise a future plan that ensures that the clearing of the alien invasive plants is done in a manner that poses no harm to the environment.

Once that process is concluded, the departments will issue a further statement on the way forward.

For media enquiries, contact:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197 (DFFE) or

Wisane Mavasa 
Cell: 060 561 8935 (DWS).

Issued jointly by the Departments of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Water and Sanitation