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Vhembe's municipal manager under scrutiny for illegal land clearing

Kutama claims unawareness of permit needs for land clearing

By Andries van Zyl • 9 April 2026
Vhembe's municipal manager under scrutiny for illegal land clearing

The Vhembe District Municipality manager faces scrutiny for clearing six hectares of indigenous vegetation without environmental authorization, prompting a Section 24G rectification application. Critics argue this retrospective application undermines environmental laws.

The municipal manager of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), Mr Norman Kutama, has been called on to explain why he cleared about six hectares of indigenous vegetation on his farm outside Louis Trichardt without the required Environmental Authorisation (EA).

This follows a recent Section 24G rectification application, submitted on his behalf by Naledzi Environmental Consultants, which is currently underway for land-clearing activities on Portion 168 of Farm Rondebosch 287 LS. The cl...

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