fires
30 July 2007
The Minister, Alec Erwin and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)
convey sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of all those who have
lost their lives in the forest fires in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern
Cape. We also sympathise, with all those who have lost farms, homes and
business infrastructure during this ordeal.
Preliminary reports indicate that some 11 000 hectares of Komatiland (KLF)
Forests have been affected by the fires. All efforts are currently being
devoted to putting out the fires and we expect this very high-risk period to
continue for the rest of this week.
Our thanks and appreciation go to all the fire-fighters, forestry workers,
farm workers and many others who have been working to control the fires and we
are grateful for the high levels of assistance received, especially from the
fire fighting associations, the communities and the employees of KLF. Once the
fires have been controlled, the staff of South African Forestry Company
(Safcol) and Komatiland Forests will assess the extent and severity of the
fires and as soon as reliable estimates are available, customers will be
informed about timber supplies.
Issued by: Department of Public Enterprises
30 July 2007
Source: Department of Public Enterprises (http://www.dpe.gov.za)
