Cannabis association calls on govt to halt dagga fields spraying

By Kwanele Dhladhla

The Eswatini Cannabis Association (ECA) has written a formal letter to the government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Eswatini, demanding an immediate halt to the spraying of cannabis (dagga) fields with toxic herbicides until clear legal, environmental, and health-related justifications are provided.

In a strongly worded memorandum, which has been seen by Eswatini Daily News (EDN), the ECA states that recent reports of aerial and drone-based chemical spraying of cannabis fields, part of the state’s drug eradication efforts, represent a serious violation of Eswatini law, the national Constitution, and international environmental obligations.

The association contends that unless the government provides full transparency and legal compliance documents, the ongoing spraying campaigns remain unlawful, unsafe, and disproportionate, with potentially devastating consequences for rural communities, human health, biodiversity, and the environment.

The ECA raises alarm over the suspected use of highly toxic herbicides such as paraquat, glyphosate, and dicamba, which are known to cause acute poisoning, neurological disorders, and cancer.

According to the association, such chemicals, when sprayed from drones or aircraft, can result in spray drift, water contamination, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, consequences that breach several pieces of domestic legislation, including the Pesticides Management Act of 2017, which prohibits the use of unregistered pesticides and requires licensed applicators, safety measures and strict oversight.

They also cited the Environment Management Act, which mandates that any harmful activity be subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approved by the Eswatini Environment Authority.

The association also cited the Constitution of Eswatini, which guarantees every citizen the right to a safe and healthy environment and access to clean water.

The ECA also condemned what it describes as a regressive and contradictory approach by the government in its handling of cannabis policy.
After the 2022 rejection of the Opium and Habit-Forming Drugs (Amendment) Bill No. 6 of 2020 due to a lack of consultation, the Ministry of Health was instructed to engage stakeholders to develop an inclusive, evidence-based Cannabis Bill.

Yet, in 2025, the government re-gazetted the same outdated 1922 law, again without meaningful consultation, particularly with rural cannabis growers who have the most to lose.

Despite previous statements by Commerce, Industry, and Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo that the cannabis bill would be restructured and divided among three ministries, Health, Commerce, and Agriculture, the ECA noted that none of these processes had materialised, while chemical eradication has been aggressively pursued.

ECA’s call to government

The ECA’s letter to Parliament and relevant Ministries lays out a detailed list of demands that must be met before any further spraying can proceed:
1. Legal Authority
Government must cite the statutory provision permitting chemical spraying of cannabis.
Provide evidence that the herbicides are registered and approved for this specific use.
2. Environmental Safeguards
Submit a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approved by the Eswatini Environment Authority.
Disclose mitigation plans for protecting soil, water, biodiversity, and nearby communities.
3. Health and Safety Measures
List of all chemicals to be used, with Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Proof that all applicators are trained, licensed, and equipped with protective gear.
Emergency response plans for cases of community exposure or contamination.
4. Transparency and Accountability
Public maps showing targeted areas and spray schedules.
Reports on post-spray residue monitoring and mechanisms for public complaints and testing.
5. Inclusive Cannabis Legislation
Immediate re-engagement with all cannabis stakeholders, particularly small-scale and indigenous growers.
Development of a comprehensive Cannabis Bill that reflects Eswatini’s social, economic, and environmental realities — not outdated colonial laws.