MEDIA STATEMENT:RAGING VELD FIRES IN THE JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE DISTRICT
11 August 2021.
The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform is aware of the devastating veld fires that have wreaked havoc in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
The raging veld fires started in the morning of Sunday (August 8 2021), between Kuruman and Danelskuil and more than forty (40) farms were affected in the area.
In the afternoon the fire spread in to the Lohatla military base and jumped the borders to neighbouring farms, between Lohatla and the Danelskuil road.
There are more than five (5) farms affected by the fires nearby the Lohatla military base.
From the first sign of fire, all possible measures were jointly undertaken by the department and following stakeholders to extinguish the fire.
- JTG Disaster Management Centre, Farmers Unions
- Ga Segonyana and Gamagara Local Municipalities
- JTG District Municipality fire resources
- Mining Sector
- Fire Protection Associations
- Lohatla Military Base
So far, only one farmhouse was completely destroyed by the fires. Some of the farmworkers and land owners had to vacate their households for safety. Several livestock were lost and some were rescued. No human lives we lost or injuries were reported.
MEC Mase Manopole has dispatched a team which is comprised of the district manager in the John Taolo Gaetsewe and Extension Officers to check on the extent of damage.
The MEC has further undertaken that farmers which are affected by the fires will be assisted with fodder for their animals.
In such instances when there is massive loss of grazing land, the Department provides fodder which will be dispatched to affected farmers. We so far have about 500 bales of fodder which are stored at the Vaalharts fodder bank. Upon receiving a report on the level of the damaged grazing land and affected farms, we will dispatch the fodder,said MEC Manopole.
The MEC continues to urge motorist and pedestrians not to throw away cigarettes butts while driving or walking, or bottles as they can enhance the sun's rays and start the fire.
The public is urged to contact the following district managers in case of veld fires outbreak:
John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
Mr. Patrick Tonyane- 082 559 5948
Mr. Patrick Tonyane- 082 559 5948
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
Francis Baard District
Ms. Lilian Senosi- 082 559 6648
End.
Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform. For media enquiries contact Zandisile Luphahla, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the MEC, on 083 391 5388.
