Update on the clearing of alien invasive plants at the Vaal River

04 March 2024

The Ministers of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy update the public on the clearing of alien invasive plants at the Vaal River by Rand Water.

The two ministers established a technical task team led by the Directors General and the Chief Executive Officer of Rand Water following public concerns relating to the use of glyphosate on the water lettuce in the Vaal River.

The task team identified immediate short- and long-term interventions with clear outcomes to manage the situation. The immediate short-term interventions include the revision of the integrated control approach, which, inter alia, will assess the use of a herbicide that is registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

In the medium term, compliance and enforcement interventions will be intensified against the sources of pollution which are driving this situation. In the long-term the Vaal River Catchment Strategy relating to invasive alien aquatic species will be reviewed in order to implement a strategy that will holistically address the situation.

Lastly, the refurbishment of the Rietspruit, Sebokeng and Leeukuil Wastewater Treatment Works will be fast tracked to reduce pollution that is also contributing to the high eutrophication of the Vaal River System.

As indicated above, multiple control strategies deployed simultaneously (biological, chemical, and manual removal of alien invasives) are currently under investigation by the task team since a sustainable solution is required to manage the situation. The spraying of glyphosate in the Vaal River has been suspended.

For media enquiries, contact:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935 (DWS) or
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197 (DFFE) or

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