Illegal phane harvesters outsmart beneficiaries

Fifty-six-year-old beneficiary, Gabobofane Nthomphe was enrolled into the programme in 2012 and got assisted with a package that comprises tent, 25kg three-legged pot, 250-litre drum, food basket and transport to and from the harvest camp. She said first of all as harvesters they establish where the worm is then inform the Department of Forestry and Range Resource who would then issue permits to harvest when the worm is fully mature.

She said phane is a valuable asset that has huge economic benefits citing that she managed to build a two-roomed house for her family through phane proceeds.  She further said that on a good season phane economically sustains her through to the next harvest season.  However, her main concern is that there is no stringent measure to clamp down on illegal harvesters who often dominate the harvest areas and often harvest even the baby worms that are not mature enough to be eaten.  Some even go to the extent of unearthing the worms that are at a stage of reproducing, which has the potential to render the worm extinct in the near future.