This is according to Zandisile Luphahla, spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform, and Rural Development. 

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Luphahla explains that they are anticipating that the national Department of Agriculture will avail an aircraft that will be able to assist locust combatting teams on the ground.

He says that there have been conflicting responses from teams. One group is of the opinion that combatting locusts by using an aircraft is much more efficient and has the ability to spray more and bigger areas. The other team, on the other hand, says that making use of vehicles is more effective in combatting swarms.

The provincial department is, however, doing all that it can in order to assist teams.

Areas that remain affected by outbreaks include Upington, Britstown, De Aar, as well as Marydale.

Luphahla adds that unoccupied farms pose an issue for locust combatting teams as they are unable to enter the property, and because no one is present on the farm, the swarms breed there and go unnoticed until they fly to other areas.

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