The Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, has cautioned the public and land users to be on high alert for veld fires.
THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, has cautioned the public and land users to be on high alert for veld fires.
This comes after a preparatory meeting was held with all role-players in order to increase the readiness of the Province in response to the veld fires season.
Manopole raised concerns that the fire risk might not be limited to the eastern part of the Province only, but could spread across the whole Province.
This, according to the MEC, is due to the good rains that the Province received this year.
“We have also observed in the last season that fires were started by road users along the major road networks such as the N12 and N8,” added Manoploe.
“We also observed that some fires were started from various landfill sites, which then spread to neighbouring farms.
“I urge people to be cautious when they perform rituals in an open veld and parents to be on the lookout when children play in the veld, as they may be in possession of flammable substances.”
Manopole called on farm owners to make a fire break around their property that will prevent the spreading of a wildfire from or onto the property at all times.
Farm owners are further encouraged to at least have a trained staff available, should a fire start or spread onto the property.
They are also urged to have suitable and sufficient equipment to fight such a fire.
Manopole warned motorists and pedestrians not to throw away cigarette butts while driving or walking nor bottles as they can enhance the sun’s rays and start fires.
The public is urged to contact the following district managers in case of a veld fire outbreak:
John Taolo Gaetsewe District: Mr JC Kalakgosi – 082 734 4687
ZF Mgcawu District: Mr Christo Smit- 082 559 6778
Pixley ka Seme District: Ms Ntombi Mokgalagadi- 082 559 7289
Namakwa District: Mr Darren Engelbrecht- 082 560 8855
Frances Baard District: Ms Tumi Mokgothu – 083 561 6160
