Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency raise concern over rise in illegal mining in communities around Songimvelo Nature Reserve

Update@Noon

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has raised concerns over illegal miners who have invaded the largest nature reserve in the province, the Songimvelo Nature Reserve that is located in Tjakastad in the Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality. These illegal miners have tampered with the fence at the park and are digging for gold. This is a fence that was recently installed by the provincial government after residents in the area raised concerns of wild animals who were going out of the reserve to nearby communities. Motsebi wa Monareng filed this report.