Parliament, Saturday, 1 October 2022 - The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries concluded the first leg of the Eastern Cape’s three-day public hearings programme in Qumbu in the OR Tambo District Municipality, on the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill yesterday.
The OR Tambo District Municipality leg of the hearings was marked by the attendance of people who came from all the communities in the district including traditional leaders, ward councillors, representatives of community based organisations and faith leaders. Participant after another supported the Bill highlighting their hope in it. They said the Bill promises to stop veld and forest fires they described as worse than severe draught.
They said fires are destroying their natural wealth that includes their livestock, velds, forests with trees and animals, and the soil which is eroded as there is no vegetation protecting. According to them these are their natural and indispensable sources of economy and these fires render them permanently poor.
The residents told the committee that if a veld or forest fire breaks near their communities, it goes on unstoppable and would destroy everything because their municipalities do not have fire extinguishing capacity at the moment. They appreciated sections and clauses in the Bill promising the establishment and training of Fire Protection Associations (FPA). Participants called for the Bill to ensure that the FPAs are also empowered to ensure effectiveness.
Participants emphasised the importance of the empowerment of the Peace Officers and traditional leaders for the arrest of the perpetrators of the veld and forest fires and the imposition of heavier and severe penalties on them. They called for the government to provide protection to their velds and forests.
The Bill was supported by all participants at the Qumbu Town Hall. The committee appreciated the residents of the OR Tambo District Municipality for their attendance to the public hearings in spite of the rainy weather and for their meaningful contributions on the Bill. It assured them that their contributions would be considered when the committee deliberates on all the inputs it received from all the provinces.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES, MR PAGISO MODISE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mava Lukani (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 503 1840
E-mail: mlukani@parliament.gov.za
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