The report comes after a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and veterinarians were appointed by the department to investigate the cause of waterbird mortalities at the dam. MEC Mase Manopole explains that the laboratory results confirm that avian botulism was not the cause of the mortalities since no traces of clostridium bacteria were found. The report further suggested that an in-depth evaluation of the entire water system, including the impact of raw and partially treated sewage from Homevale wastewater treatment works, be conducted by an environmental toxicologist, to determine the significance and effects of high iron levels.

Land expropriation without compensation could pose a significant risk to the banking sector. That’s the warning from the Banking Association of South Africa. eNCA reports the association has told Parliament that market uncertainty around land rights has led to a marked decrease in the value of land-based property. It says there's a reduced appetite from property buyers, which could destabilise the banking sector. Banks have a R1.6-trillion exposure to land-based property in the form of mortgages. The association says if a property that a bank has taken security over is expropriated, it could have a crippling effect on the borrower and the bank.

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South African farmers are expected to harvest 4% more maize in the 2020/2021 season compared with the previous season as favourable weather conditions boosted yields. The government’s Crop Estimates Committee said on Thursday it estimates the 2021 harvest at 15.9 million tonnes- its second highest crop on record- up from the 15.3 million tonnes harvested last season. The harvest is expected to consist of 8.796 million tonnes of white maize, used for human consumption, and 7.126 million tonnes of yellow maize, used mainly in animal feed, to have been planted.

OFM News/eNCA/Moneyweb