Louise Agenbag, Polygon Environmental Planning “Western Cape farmer gets R3.5m fine for water transgressions” (The Citizen, 18/06/2019).  “Water users warned to respect law after farmer is fined R3.5m” (Cape Times, 18/06/2019).  “Boerdery moet R3.5m opdok oor onwettige damme” (Netwerk24, 14/06/2019).  These are some of the headlines that sent shock waves through the environmental and agricultural industries in recent weeks, after a Clanwilliam farmer, Tierhoek Boerdery, was fined a whopping R3.5 million for 11 transgressions relating to the construction of two dams without the necessary authorisations.  Comments on the case ranged from outrage that a farming operation, which plays a vital...