Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Victoria O’Regan and Kristin Engel
Published on 2024-02-20 22:10:24
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that the last time they assisted the South African Navy in making firebreaks and clearing alien vegetation at its properties in the Cape Peninsula was at least four years ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic. The responsibility for maintaining and clearing the land lies with the DPWI, despite the SA Navy being the landowner. This negligence has raised concerns about potential wildfire catastrophes that could devastate ecological sanctuaries, infrastructure, and human habitations.
Professor Eugene Moll, from the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), expressed the severity of the situation, highlighting the risk of potential wildfire disasters. The neglect of the land belonging to the South African Naval Armament Depot (Sanad) above Simon’s Town, has led to overgrown vegetation and the absence of firebreaks. Residents living near the Silvermine Military Base in Muizenberg echoed similar sentiments, describing the land as “neglected” and “overgrown”. They noted the lack of management and alien vegetation clearing on various naval areas.
The City of Cape Town Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase, emphasized the importance of the navy’s role in maintaining their land to reduce the risk of fires spreading to urban areas. She cited the example of the Simon’s Town fire in December, which damaged a derelict building on the grounds of the SA Navy. Purchase remarked that the navy’s lack of firebreaks and clearing of alien vegetation exacerbated the situation and posed a risk to the surrounding urban edge.
In response to questions from Daily Maverick, the DPWI shifted blame to the SA Navy, stating that they only assisted when requested by the navy. However, the city’s Fire and Rescue Service attempted to resolve the land management issues with the navy and the DWPI, with limited progress. This led to the city sending a legal letter to the Department of Public Works, seeking resolution.
The neglect of naval land and failure to comply with national fire-preventing legislation has raised concerns among experts. Professor Moll highlighted the potential for massive fires due to the accumulation of fuel loads resulting from neglected land maintenance. He urged compliance with legislation such as the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, and the National Environmental Management Act. All landowners, including the SA Navy, have a legal obligation to control invasive vegetation on their properties.
Furthermore, the SA Navy’s non-compliance with legislation such as the NVFFA, which requires state landowners to become members of a fire protection association, has been highlighted as a concern. The CPFPA revealed that the SA Navy was not a member of the local FPA, and attempts to engage with the navy on this matter were met with no response.
Overall, the neglect of land maintenance on SA Navy properties poses a significant risk of potential wildfire disasters, and urgent action is necessary to mitigate these risks. The lack of cooperation between the SA Navy, DPWI, and local authorities further exacerbates the situation, highlighting the need for a collective effort to address these critical issues.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
