DA calls on legislature committee to investigate Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has called on local economic development, environment and tourism portfolio committee to investigate the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) following plethora of environmental and other concerns.

The MMSEZ was recently under the spotlight after the local economic development, environment and tourism department (LEDET) approval to uproot almost 9 000 trees from the northern site of the area.

Public outrage was further fuelled by pending applications to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to remove an additional 658 000 protected trees.

DA’s Jacques Smalle said he has already written to the portfolio committee’s chairperson to urge full disclosure of all matters relating the MMSEZ and that the MEC for LEDET and other officials appear before the committee to give full account of their governance of the matter and the decisions they have taken.

“Over an extended period, grave concerns have been raised by various communities, economic stakeholders, interested and affected parties, as well as the media regarding regarding the proposed MMSEZ,” Smalle said.

The concerns raised so far over MMSEZ include environmental impact, energy challenges, conflict of interest, public participation, and transparency and accountability.