Parliament, Thursday, 8 January 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has noted with sadness the devastating fires that destroyed among other things, homes, animals, precious vegetation and infrastructure, in the Mossel Bay and Kouga municipalities.
The committee is grateful that there are no reports from both municipalities stating human loss because of the devastation of fires that occurred recently. Dr Mkhize said the committee has noted with appreciation a confirmation by the Mossel Bay Municipality that the fire has been finally extinguished in the early hours of today.
According to media reports the fire is still raging in the Kouga Local Municipality between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, but a combination of effective emergency responses and community cooperation is fighting it and has prevented any civilian or firefighter fatalities.
The committee has heard that the authorities closed the N2 between Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay, diverting traffic via the R102. The committee is calling on all the role-players in the Kouga Local Municipality to joint hands in the fight against the fire until it is final extinguished.
Dr Mkhize said the committee is with the people of the Kouga Local Municipality during this very difficult time of the devastating fire that threatens to kill them and their critical resources of life. He said the committee is confident that given their power they are going to win the fight and extinguish the fire eventually.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mava Lukani (Mr)
Cell: 081 503-1840
E-mail: mlukani@parliament.gov.za
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