Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL and images here,here,here and here
The veld fire season in the Free State has started with devastating fires in various parts of the province, escalated by strong winds. Much damage was experienced by the agricultural and tourism sectors in the Thabo Mafutsanyana District through the loss of animals, grazing and infrastructure.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) was in constant contact with the MEC for Agriculture Rural Development & Environmental Affairs, Ms Elzabe Rockman, regarding the status of these fires. The MEC visited affected communities yesterday, accompanied by DA public representatives, to assess the impact on communities. The DA welcomes the positive and prompt response by the MEC to the requests for assistance from the DA who were on the ground during these fires.
We hope that the visit by the MEC will give her the necessary terms of reference for what is required from the provincial government to support communities during such disasters. The DA wishes to express our sympathy to individuals who experienced losses and will continue to fight for the required assistance from the provincial government during and after veld fires and other disasters.
The provincial government can start by lobbying the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to return the vehicles required by Working on Fire so that they can do their work effectively, especially in mountainous regions.