Fishermen’s fishing permits not renewed

Athenkosi Mvane

23 January 2013

The Masifundise Development Trust has expressed disapproval at fishermen not having their permits renewed on time by government officials.

The Langebaan and Strisbaai net fishers’ permits expired on the 31^st December last year, and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is accused of denying the fishers families their livelihood.

The Programme Coordinator of Masifundise Development Trust Mandla Gqamlana said that the men have not been able to go to the sea to fish since last year.

“They have not been able to put food on the table for their families; we have reminded the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on numerous occasions” Gqamlana said.

Since the 5th of November, the first correspondence from Masifundise, nothing has happened even today to respond to the fishers’ pleas.