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Daily Maverick
17 hours ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Overfishing forces Zambia's third Lake Tanganyika fishing ban
Once-abundant fish stocks must be replenished, but the ban alone won't inspire more sustainable lake use by local communities. Lake Tanganyika is Africa's longest and deepest lake, with a shoreline longer than Tanzania's entire coastline. It supports local livelihoods and the economies of riparian countries through its rich biodiversity and central role in regional trade and transport. However, unsustainable activities like overfishing threaten the lake's resources. Lake Tanganyika's waters are shared by Tanzania (41%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (45%), Burundi (8%) and Zambia (6%). The lake is governed by the Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika, which established the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) to facilitate integrated management between the riparian states. The lake's growing population – about 12.5 million in 2012 – is predicted to rise by at least 2% annually. This increases demands on the lake, which already suffers due to climate change, overexploitation, harmful land use practices and pollution. Key ports in Lake Tanganyika Its aquatic ecosystems are among the most biodiverse globally. Hundreds of its fish species are endemic to the lake, and fishing is the primary livelihood for shoreline communities. The Lake Tanganyika perch (Lates stappersi), locally called buka-buka, and two sardine species (Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae) or kapenta, form the bulk of Zambia's Lake Tanganyika fisheries. Most catches are destined for surrounding communities, the Copperbelt, Lusaka and the DRC. There is also limited recreational and sport fishing, and a niche market for ornamental fish for aquariums, especially Lake Tanganyika's endemic cichlid species. While industrial fishing was previously the primary fisheries sector in Zambia's portion of the lake, semi-industrial or artisanal fishers gradually overtook the market share. Today, most fishing is by semi-industrial and subsistence fishers. Semi-industrial fishers began catching more species, using more vessels, larger groups of fishers and more effective methods. This, compounded with other impacts like climate change, has reduced stocks. A fisher told the Institute for Security Studies: 'Where you used to catch 50 pieces, now it is three pieces, four pieces.' As catches declined, fishers increasingly turned to illegal methods to increase their yield, including using prohibited monofilament and drift nets that capture juvenile and undersized fish. Monofilament nets are reportedly imported in bulk from China, often passing through Tanzania, where they are also prohibited. A Nsumbu-based conservation organisation reported a single seizure of monofilament nets worth $180,000 in 2024. Divers also collect endemic ornamental fish species for the global aquarium trade. Although cichlids are prized, eels and other species like catfish are also targeted. Zambia's fisheries department reported issuing only two ornamental fishing licences to local companies in 2025. However, sources say there are many more illegal divers, including in Nsumbu National Park, which borders the lake in northern Zambia. Fish are transported to Lusaka or Dar es Salaam, from where they are flown to Europe, the US, Asia and South Africa. Because their cross-border trade is not regulated by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), establishing illegality once shipments leave Zambia is difficult. Zambia's Fisheries Act prohibits fishing without a licence, limits fishing effort and prohibits certain methods and gear, but doesn't provide for quotas. In 2023, the stock decline saw the LTA implement an annual fishing ban. While all four riparian countries should implement the ban, only Zambia has diligently enforced it annually. Fisheries officers from Mpulungu, home to Zambia's only international port, say most fisherfolk adhere to the ban because they have seen their catches increase following previous bans. Tanzania, the only other country to have implemented the ban, has experienced the same. But 'where there are rules, there are also rule breakers', officers say. Despite Zambia overseeing the smallest section of Lake Tanganyika, its monitoring, control and surveillance abilities are restricted by limited resources, including patrol boats and insufficient staff. Although new technologies are being piloted in other Zambian waterbodies, the fisheries department lacks vessel monitoring technologies or drones to expand its reach across the lake. Enforcement challenges are not limited to the lake. Without official fishing ports, fish are landed along the shoreline, often directly at informal markets, where they are sold. Fisheries officers cannot monitor all landings, limiting catch data needed for fisheries management decisions. To complement their operations, the fisheries department often combines efforts with counterparts like the police and special forces marine commandos. They also rely on community policing through fisheries co-management with village conservation development committees. Yet, the fisheries department's relationship with communities is complex. Low literacy reduces locals' understanding of regulations, exacerbated by the absence of an independent monitoring, control and surveillance unit. Fisheries officers act as both fisheries officials and compliance officers – gathering catch data one day, and burning the same fishers' illegal nets the next. Community members therefore hesitate to share information with the department. Their trust is further undermined when they receive no response to reports of infringements, due to limited state resources or corrupt officers. Government assistance to communities has been minimal during the ban, which can be devastating for those without alternative livelihoods. As a result, many oppose the ban. Fisheries are also used as a political weapon. Sources say fishing regulations are used to garner votes, often destroying well-established practices and structures that must be rebuilt after elections. This includes village conservation development committees. While there is cross-border cooperation to gather fisheries data to inform lake-wide management, the ban's unbalanced implementation shows that cross-border resource governance is fragmented. The LTA was established to address this, but riparian states' limited capacity cripples counter-efforts. To boost national capacities, the LTA has partnered with the European Union and United Nations to implement projects aimed at conserving biodiversity and sustainable use. These efforts are encouraging, and Zambia's commitment to the annual fishing ban is commendable. But these actions alone won't inspire sustainable lake use. Integrated resource management by the riparian countries is needed, without overreliance on external funding. Investment in alternative livelihoods beyond the lake's biodiversity should be explored. Key ports like Mpulungu could be expanded to facilitate trade, and more aquaculture could relieve pressure on wild fish populations. Additional fish centres could also be developed to preserve and process catches. A wider range of government departments will have to contribute to such holistic reforms. National monitoring, control and surveillance capacity should be bolstered using increasingly affordable technology. Imposing quotas or closed fishing seasons in selected sites could regulate fishing year-round, provided they can be enforced and fisherfolk are sensitised to their sustainable use benefits. Sustainable use can also be encouraged by providing affordable legal fishing gear and preventing prohibited gear from entering Zambia. If achieved, these steps could provide a blueprint for the DRC, Burundi and Tanzania to also implement the ban. DM
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SAPS urged to address misinformation on farm attacks and genocide claims
The Institute for Security Studies says police and agricultural unions should correct misinformation and the false narrative regarding genocide and farm murders in South Africa. Image: David Ritchie, ANA The SAPS, agricultural unions and private security firms have been requested to debunk and correct the misinformation and false narratives circulating on social media and other platforms on farm attacks in South Africa. A policy brief released by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) found that there is no evidence of any form of genocide taking place in the country. The institute added that white people are statistically less at risk of violent crime than other racial groups as it explains why the country is so violent and why there is no evidence of a genocide. This comes after the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) claimed that attacks on farms display a distinctly brutal pattern. The bureau claimed that these were not ordinary crimes, adding that in some documented cases, reports detail victims tortured or killed without anything being stolen. The bureau said local sources reported 296 farm attacks and 49 murders in 2023, adding that victims are disproportionately elderly, isolated and face delayed police response. AfriForum said the report confirmed what the organisation had been emphasising for years, that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The organisation added that farm attacks are brutal, targeted attacks that are often accompanied by torture, murder without anything being stolen and politically charged rhetoric such as the 'Kill the Boer' slogan. However, the ISS, through its policy brief, found that a vast majority of farm attacks were motivated by robbery, not racial hatred, saying agricultural unions, the SAPS, private security and community leaders should actively counter misinformation and false narratives circulating via social media and other platforms. AfriForum's chief spokesperson for Community Safety, Jacques Broodryk, said it has never been the organisation's position that there is genocide taking place in South Africa, adding their position is that there are unique elements to farm attacks that justify classifying it a 'priority crime', in the same way that taxi violence, gender based violence and illegal mining are classified as 'priority crimes' due to their unique nature. 'There are however genocidal calls made by influential figures such as the chanting of Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer. The chanting of the slogan has been directly linked to attacks on farms. If one however looks at the US's legal definition of genocide, it is understandable why US officials can refer to farm attacks as a genocide,' he said. ISS added that of the 49 who were killed on farms in 2023, not all victims were farmers, adding that the figure represents 0.2% of 27,621 murders reported during that period. 'Half of all murders in South Africa occurred in just 12% of police precincts. Most of these high murder areas are townships in metropolitan areas inhabited largely by black residents,' the institution said. Agri SA executive officer Johann Kotze declined to comment. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said she was waiting for a response from her colleagues. The ISS said the idea of a 'white genocide' has been around for many years, propagated by fringe or extremist groups. However, there is no credible evidence to support claims of a 'white genocide' or any form of genocide taking place in South Africa. It added that multiple independent investigations have found no systematic or organised targeting of white people or farmers based on race or ethnicity, nor any indication that attacks aim to destroy an ethnic group or drive farmers from their land. 'These investigations include the 2003 Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks and the 2014 South African Human Rights Commission National Investigative Hearings into Safety and Security Challenges in Farming Communities,' ISS said. The institute added that South Africa's crime statistics show that most armed violent crime occurs in urban areas, mostly in public spaces such as streets or parks, but also in homes and businesses. 'Murder victimisation correlates more with class, gender and location than race. Lower income and high inequality are linked to higher rates of crime and violence. About half of all murders take place in just 12% of SAPS precincts, and 20% in fewer than 3% of stations – 30 in total,' said the ISS, adding that these areas are mostly townships or poor urban communities, mostly populated by coloured or black African people.
The Citizen
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
DJ Sumbody's murder exposes connection between crime and power
'The whole issue of killings of whistleblowers and assassinations generally is massively interlinked with procurement corruption.' DJ Sumbody at the Crypto Knight on 22 July 2022 in Midrand. Picture: Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape On a quiet November night in 2022, DJ Sumbody – a rising star in South Africa's music scene — was gunned down in a hail of bullets while heading home. Then, in April 2024, engineer Armand Swart was executed in a similar shooting after his company flagged a suspicious government tender in which prices had been inflated by over 4,500 percent. But dramatic arrests this week are tying those murders and many more together, exposing a murky underworld where criminals consort with political bigwigs for lucrative state tenders. The arrests came after explosive allegations by a senior police chief who accused the force and South Africa's police minister of a cover-up. ALSO READ: Malema accuses Kunene of lying about relationship with man accused of murdering DJ Sumbody Deep-rooted procurement corruption has seeped through every level of government for decades, security researcher David Bruce told AFP. 'The whole issue of killings of whistleblowers and assassinations generally is massively interlinked with that issue,' said Bruce, a consultant with the Institute for Security Studies. DJ Sumbody arrests Among those arrested this week are a former Johannesburg police officer at the time of DJ Sumbody's murder, as well as the prime suspect, a businessman named Katiso Molefe. British media have reported that a South African man of the same name and age as Molefe was sentenced to four years in prison in the United Kingdom in 2003 for drug trafficking. Two other men, already in custody for the 2023 attempted murder of former reality TV star turned influencer Tebogo Thobejane, are also believed to have played a role. It doesn't end there. ALSO READ: Firearms used in DJ Sumbody's murder linked to 10 other high-profile cases During the raid on Monday, police found prominent Johannesburg politician, Kenny Kunene, at Molefe's home. Kunene, a Johannesburg city council member, has since been suspended by his party leader, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, though police have not formally implicated him. Kunene denied any wrongdoing, saying he was merely trying to assist a journalist seeking to interview Molefe. 'Tenderpreneurs' At the centre of the widening web is businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, described locally as a 'tenderpreneur', a term referring to individuals who have made fortunes through government contracts. Also, the head of a private security firm, Matlala, was arrested in May in connection with the 2023 attempt on his ex-partner Thobejane's life. Thobejane, famous for her role in the long-running local soap opera Muvhango, denied having 'snitched' on Matlala earlier this month. 'I am a victim,' she told News24. In 2024, Matlala secured a $20 million contract with the national police — now cancelled — despite being implicated in a $125 million public hospital embezzlement scandal. ALSO READ: DJ Sumbody's family welcomes arrests of suspects, thank police The Tembisa hospital case cost whistleblower Babita Deokaran her life in 2021, when she was shot nine times outside her home. No arrests have been made in Deokaran's killing, reflecting the impunity that reigns, with only 11 percent of murders solved, according to 2024 police statistics. 'All these three cases are linked somehow,' police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said, referring to DJ Sumbody, Swart and Thobejane. Four weapons, including the AK-47 rifle used to kill DJ Sumbody, have been linked through ballistics to at least 10 high-profile cases, she added. Police minister accused The implications run deep. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last month accused colleagues and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of burying investigations targeting Matlala. In a bombshell televised press conference, flanked by armed security forces, Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu had received payments from a corruption suspect and accused prosecutors of delaying justice. 'We do hope that pretty soon we might find some changes with good dedicated prosecutors and we might see arrests happening,' he said, adding that cases of murdered artists would finally 'come to the fore'. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since suspended Mchunu and announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations. But there has been no tangible action. ALSO READ: DJ Sumbody's friend, DJ Vettys in a 'stable condition' says manager, after being shot South Africa faces one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging more than 75 killings a day. Politically motivated contract killings have surged 108 percent over the past decade, according to a 2024 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. Studies show hiring a contract killer can cost as little as $145 in a country all too accustomed to violence. 'It's easier to silence someone with a bullet than contend with an investigation,' said Chad Thomas, head of private investigation company IRS Forensic.
RNZ News
25-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
South African DJ's murder exposes nexus between crime and power
South African Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu pictured on January 14, 2025. Mchunu has been suspended after accusations of burying investigations. Photo: Christian Velcich / AFP By Clément Varanges, AFP On a quiet November night in 2022, DJ Sumbody - a rising star in South Africa's music scene - was gunned down in a hail of bullets while heading home. Then in April 2024, engineer Armand Swart was executed in a similar shooting after his company flagged a suspicious government tender in which prices had been inflated by over 4,500 percent. But dramatic arrests this week are tying those murders and many more together, exposing a murky underworld where criminals consort with political bigwigs for lucrative state tenders. The arrests came after explosive allegations by a senior police chief who accused the force and South Africa's police minister of a cover-up. Deep-rooted procurement corruption has seeped through every level of government for decades, security researcher David Bruce told AFP. "The whole issue of killings of whistleblowers and assassinations generally is massively interlinked with that issue," said Bruce, a consultant with the Institute for Security Studies. DJ Sumbody, a rising star in South Africa's music scene, was shot dead in November 2022. His murder is tied to others in the country, exposing a murky underworld. Photo: Instagram / DJ Sumbody Among those arrested this week are a former Johannesburg police officer at the time of DJ Sumbody's murder, as well as the prime suspect, a businessman named Katiso Molefe. British media have reported that a South African man of Molefe's same name and age was sentenced to four years in prison in the United Kingdom in 2003 for drug trafficking. Two other men, already in custody for the 2023 attempted murder of former reality TV star turned influencer Tebogo Thobejane, are also believed to have played a role. It doesn't end there. During the raid on Monday, police found prominent Johannesburg politician, Kenny Kunene, at Molefe's home. Kunene, a Johannesburg city council member, has since been suspended by his party leader, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, though police have not formally implicated him. Kunene denied any wrongdoing, saying he was merely trying to assist a journalist seeking to interview Molefe. At the centre of the widening web is businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, described locally as a "tenderpreneur", a term referring to individuals who have made fortunes through government contracts. Also the head of private security firm, Matlala was arrested in May in connection with the 2023 attempt on his ex-partner Thobejane's life. Thobejane, famous for her role in the long-running local soap opera Muvhango, earlier this month denied having "snitched" on Matlala. "I am a victim," she told local newspaper News24. In 2024, Matlala secured a $20 million contract with the national police - now cancelled - despite being implicated in a $125 million public hospital embezzlement scandal. The Tembisa hospital case cost whistleblower Babita Deokaran her life in 2021, when she was shot nine times outside her home. No arrests have been made in Deokaran's killing, reflecting the impunity that reigns with only 11 percent of murders solved, according to 2024 police statistics. "All these three cases are linked somehow," police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said, referring to DJ Sumbody, Swart and Thobejane. Four weapons, including the AK-47 rifle used to kill DJ Sumbody, have been linked through ballistics to at least 10 high-profile cases, she added. SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations against his police minister. Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay The implications run deep. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last month accused colleagues and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of burying investigations targeting Matlala. In a bombshell televised press conference, flanked by armed security forces, Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu had received payments from a corruption suspect and accused prosecutors of delaying justice. "We do hope that pretty soon we might find some changes with good, dedicated prosecutors and we might see arrests happening," he said, adding that cases of murdered artists would finally "come to the fore". President Cyril Ramaphosa has since suspended Mchunu and announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations. But there has been no tangible action. South Africa faces one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging more than 75 killings a day. Politically motivated contract killings have surged 108 percent over the past decade, according to a 2024 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Studies show hiring a contract killer can cost as little as $145 in the country all too accustomed to violence. "It's easier to silence someone with a bullet than contend with an investigation," said Chad Thomas, head of private investigation company IRS Forensic. - AFP
Daily Maverick
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Nelson Mandela Day, critical climate discussions and more events this week in civil society
This week, join a range of events focused on climate justice, anti-corruption, children's rights, and youth empowerment, ending with the annual Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run on 19 July. On Tuesday, 15 July, at 10am, the Institute for Economic Justice will host a webinar on how South Africa's new Climate Change Act can advance a just transition in the food system. During the webinar, experts will break down key provisions of the act, spotlight advocacy opportunities, and explore how civil society can play a leading role in ensuring climate justice includes food justice. Register for the webinar here. On Wednesday, 16 July, at 10am, the Institute for Security Studies will host a seminar on the Special Investigating Unit's achievements and challenges, and how to secure its future success. 'The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is reputed to be South Africa's most effective anti-corruption agency. New research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) undertaken in cooperation with the SIU examined the factors associated with its success and the challenges the unit faces in combating corruption. This seminar will discuss key research findings and recommendations for the SIU's future,' the ISS said. Panellists include: On Thursday, 17 July at 1pm, the Dullah Omar Institute's Children's Rights Project will host the first instalment of a webinar series exploring children's rights. The webinar, Children's Rights and Business in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, aims to build and sustain a focused Africa-wide discourse on the subject. 'The business sector has significant implications for the realisation of children's rights in Africa, both negative and positive. While businesses contribute to beneficial societal outcomes and economic growth in ways that support the realisation of the rights of children, their operations, products and policies can also adversely impact children's rights,' the institute said. Panellists include: Opal Sibanda Chairman Okoloise Nimrod Muhumuza Register for the webinar here. Friday, 18 July is International Nelson Mandela Day, where people, communities and organisations around the world will reflect on Mandela's values to make a positive impact on their communities. Here are the events that will take place in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day: Licebo Harvest will spend the day teaching young people about agriculture and community building on the organisation's farm. The youth will learn how to plant and harvest crops, understand farm management techniques, and get hands-on experience in a real farm setting. To attend, RSVP to Vuyo at 060 469 8725. Maruma Bantfu is running an essay-writing contest to commemorate Mabiba's legacy of social justice, change and unity. Grade 8-12 learners are encouraged to submit 300-500-word essays on the following question: How to create non-violent, harmless and safe communities for children? The winning entry will be announced and celebrated on 18 July 2025. Entries close on 16 July. Learners can submit their essays here. On Friday, 18 July at 12.30pm, Life After Coal will host a webinar on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The webinar will unpack what the NDC is and how civil society can engage with South Africa's next big climate commitment. Register here. On Saturday, 19 July, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will host the highly anticipated Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run at Wanderers Stadium. The annual event is dedicated to promoting community service and inspiring positive change within our communities. Venue: DP World Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg.
