The much-awaited tests results at Nandoni Dam are finally available. It is now official: there is no poison at Nandoni Dam.

These are the results of tests undertaken by the Department of Water Affairs in Limpopo after an outcry last month, when crocodiles and fish died at the dam. The poison scare was a big blow to local fishermen, whose fishing trade took a nosedive after the public was warned not to eat the suspected poisoned fish. Buckets full of fish could be seen all over Thohoyandou, with no customers buying them.

The study by the department has revealed that net fishing was the cause of deaths to fish and crocodiles. This has led the department to issue an ultimatum to fishermen to stop net fishing or face the wrath of the law.

The department’s chief director, Mr Alson Matukane, said that the study had revealed that nets left in the water by fishermen were found to be the cause of death of the crocodiles and fish. He said that the tests showed that suffocation caused the deaths and not poison. According to him, the fish that are trapped in the nets attract crocodiles that want to feed on them and they, too, end up being trapped in the nets – resulting in their dying as well.

He said uncontrolled net fishing at the dam was a source of concern as it did not only endanger the aquatic animals, but also the lives of anglers who used small boats that sometimes capsized, with fishermen ending up drowning.

He said the department was in the process of issuing licences to anglers with a view of regulating fishing in the dam and other areas in the province.

Meanwhile, it is business as usual as buckets full of fish make their way to Thohoyandou CBD on a daily basis and they go back home empty.