![]() The DA has long been pushing for a better approach to disaster prevention and disaster management in the Northern Cape and while aspects of this have improved over the years, we still have a long way to go. Secondary support, in terms of blading of gravel roads and the provision of fuel subsidies, for transport and power generation, must also be implemented to help get farmers on the path to recovery. Disaster declarations must be instituted with more haste to free up resources, including financial assistance and the provision of fodder. After-care for farmers affected by the fires must be escalated. The time that it takes to implement aerial support must also be cut down.Ĥ. This, however, requires greater political intervention. ![]() In the areas visited, there was a short supply of water and communities have been trying to get the support of the local water boards, to assist with the provision of water in times of crisis. The supply of quick access to a consistent supply of resources to fight fires in a coordinated manner, needs to be improved upon. Fire prevention methods, including the enforcement of fire breaks, by all land-related stakeholders, including land-owners, municipalities, provincial government, Sanral, Eskom, Transnet and others must be actively enforced on all parcels of land.ģ. While criminal cases have been opened, the will to speed up and finalise these cases also appears to be lacking.Ģ. It is essential that a broader investigation be initiated into the causal factors, especially as there has been a general uptick on arson in the province. In addition to the hot, dry and windy conditions being experienced, there are concerns that many fires may have been started by a criminal element. The DA has pinpointed four serious matters that require immediate attention from government in order to protect lives, farms, livelihoods and food security:ġ. Given the critical role they play in supplying the country’s food basket, they require greater all-around support from provincial government. The farmers we met with have suffered loss of wildlife and livestock, elimination of grazing land and damage to homes and infrastructure extending into millions of rands. ![]() Our request comes after a meeting with farmer’s affected by fires in Danielskuil, as well as an oversight to a farm in the Kuruman area that recently suffered extensive damage. The task team must also look at fire-fighting response times as well as after-care provided by government. The DA calls on the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, to urgently establish a multi-sectoral veld fire task team to analyse the causes of recent veld fires in Danielskuil, Kuruman and Postmasburg.
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