7 August 2007
The recent fires that have ravaged some parts of Mpumalanga have all been
contained and brought under control. Latest reports indicate that 10 people
have died due to the fires, 14 were injured due to fire, six were injured in
smoke related accidents, 40 200 hectares of plantations and 15 000 hectares of
grazing fields have been destroyed by the fires.
The Provincial Disaster Management Team has begun the process of
co-ordinating the assessment of the damage done by the fires. All relevant
stakeholders and sector departments have began doing an assessment of the
damage in their respective fields. Once these reports have been complied they
will then be consolidated by the Provincial Disaster Management Team to give a
provincial assessment of the damage. It is envisaged that the assessment will
be completed in two weeks.
The department is also in the process of appointing a team of investigators,
to investigate the cause of these fires. The team of investigators will be
appointed before the end of this week. The teams of fire fighters are currently
mopping up after the fires.
Although the fires have been brought under control, fire-fighters and the
Provincial Disaster Management Team are still monitoring the situation. The
Department of Health and Social Services is assisting with the distribution of
humanitarian relief to the affected destitute families.
Enquiries:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
7 August 2007
