KZN MEC for Agriculture and environmental affairs Mtholephi Mthimkulu has assured landowners affected by the devastating fires that raged through the KZN Midlands recently that he would request that President Thabo Mbeki declare the region a disaster area as soon as possible.
Speaking to a group of stunned landowners in the Karkloof area of the Midlands, only days after the massive fires passed through their timber plantations, grazing lands, and personal and staff houses, destroying many other valuable assets, the MEC expressed his condolences to everyone affected by the fires, especially the family of a firefighter who died in a car accident while driving to one of the fires. “I am totally shocked at the fire damage and losses that I have seen,” Mthimkulu told the media after having just taken a helicopter flight over the burnt areas to assess the devastation first-hand. “My department has already drafted a preliminary report on the damage these areas have experienced,” Mthimkulu said. “We are still waiting for forms from independent landowners to tell us specifically what damages they had from these fires. Together with the Department of Health and Welfare and the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, my department will submit a final report to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, S’bu Ndebele, to ask him to urge President Thabo Mbeki to declare this region a disaster.”
According to the KZN agriculture and environmental affairs’ preliminary report, most fire damage took place in the communal lands of Mafakathini and Maswazini, and the private farming lands of Yerrow, Curries Post, Karkloof, Fort Nottingham, Impendle and the Mid-Illovo area. The collective damage in these areas is estimated at over R1 billion.
“According to the figures we have so far more than 35 000ha of forest land were destroyed in Karkloof, in addition to more than 5 000ha of grazing pastures and maize crops,” Mthimkulu’s spokesperson, Mbulelo Baloyi, said. “About 25 farmworker households, 18 farm homesteads, a mushroom farm and a vegetable farm were also burnt in Karkloof.” Altogether, it was estimated that 80 farmers and 8 000 farmworkers in the Midlands were affected in some way by the fires. Livestock and game were also killed or wounded. Farmers, the police and the SPCA had to shoot many animals which were burnt but still alive.
The MEC cautioned that even if the president did declare the area a disaster and began directing resources to repair the situation where possible, this assistance would still be a while in coming. “We all know that the wheels of government can turn very slowly,” Mthimkulu said. “I am thankful to see your fellow farmers across the province, as well as other concerned citizens and organisations, are donating money, clothing, shelter, food, and fodder to those of you who have lost your possessions and assets. It is heart-warming to see how the farming community has come together after this disaster.”
Bobby Hoole of the Howick District Landowners’ Association thanked all outsiders who were assisting the fire victims and making much-needed donations. He added that the KZN Agricultural Union, First National Bank and Afgri had come to the landowners’ aid very quickly after the fires. “If anyone else is able to donate anything towards the disaster relief effort of the farmers and their staff, please call Hazel on (033) 266 6032,” Hoole asked. – Lloyd Phillips
