Farmers in South Africa's Karoo region fear fracking could devastate their environment in the face of a desperate need for alternative energy supplies to fuel its growing economy.<br /><br />Using a process called hydraulic fracturing, one drills into the ground - then horizontally as small explosions pierce the shale rock. Water, sand and chemicals are then forced into the rock to release the gas. <br />But fracking is controversial and locals are concerned about what impact that is going to have on the environment. <br /><br />Oil companies insist that drilling for gas in Africa's largest economy will bring jobs and development -- without destroying the environment.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from the Karoo.
