Injisuthi on fire.

Today was a crazy day in the Drakensberg, a run away fire forced people to evacuate their rooms, staff housing burnt down. Injisuthi was panic stations for a couple of hours.

Truly tragic. No injuries I hope.
Do you know the extent of the damage?
I'm going to call them anyhows...

Yes, I was expecting this to happen as the majority of firebreaks have not been burnt this year due to Covid and maybe the lack of funds. It also seems that overnight hiking has not been allowed due to this increased fire risk for hikers. The hot, dry, windy season we are experiencing now is not helping the situation. The Mnweni region is the safest as there are not huge open grass areas like the other regions have.

Looks pretty bad:

Ezemvelo Wildlife haven’t been prioritising management techniques such as fire breaks over corruption, evidently.


*Supsension of the Board of Ezemvelo Wildlife*

_Statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube on the suspension of the Board of Ezemvelo Wildlife_ 
 
18 August 2020
 
*Durban* : Once again I wish to express my appreciation to the lawmakers who are serving in the Portfolio Committee on Conservation and Environmental Affairs.

Today, during the Virtual Sitting, they were informed about developments in one of our entities, Ezemvelo Wildlife.


On the 28 April 2020 we met during the Budget Hearing and presentation of Annual Performance Plan. This virtual meeting was robust and characterized by honest reflection on the state of Ezemvelo, one of our most important entities in the province.
 
In a true sense of democracy, ever since that meeting - leaders of political parties have been speaking with one voice on the need to ensure the stability of Ezemvelo. They have been demonstrating that they represent the interest of those who elected them into office.
 
As the department, we agree with lawmakers. We believe that our nature conservation is another critical avenue at our disposal as we confront the challenge created by COVID-19.
 
Today, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee presented my formal letter to the members of the committee informing them about the suspension of the Board of Ezemvelo Wildlife.
 
I have exercised my discretion to suspend all the current Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board (“Ezemvelo”), in accordance with the provisions of section 12 of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act, 1997 (Act No. 9 of 1997) (“the Act”), as a result of the prima facie allegations against the Board as a collective.
 
I also confirm that I have approached the Honourable MEC for Finance in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Ravi Pillay, MPL, to institute a forensic investigation at Ezemvelo, which will be conducted by an external entity to be appointed by the Honourable MEC for Finance, and to designate an appropriate person as the Accounting Authority of Ezemvelo, in accordance with the provisions of section 49(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999).
 
Pending a decision by the Honourable MEC for Finance as alluded to above, the Acting Chief Executive Officer will act as the Accounting Authority for Ezemvelo, in accordance with the provisions of section 49(2)(b) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, provided that he has been instructed to only exercise such duties as are absolutely crucial to the continued functioning of Ezemvelo.
 
Progress Reports will be submitted to the Honourable Members of the Committee on a regular basis, to ensure that the Honourable Members are appraised and kept abreast of developments at Ezemvelo.
 
After allegations of maladministration were published by various media houses, I assured the people of this province of my commitment towards transparency and accountability.
 
I undertook to ensure the following:-
 
●Firstly, to brief Premier Sihle Zikalala and Members of the Executive Council about the overall management of Ezemvelo and steps to be undertake to turn around the situation;
 
●Secondly, informing parties involved about the way forward;
 
●Thirdly, informing members of the portfolio committee on conservation and environmental affairs about interventions and way forward;
 
Lastly but not least – I undertook to to inform the members of the public about all interventions. Members of the public are critical because as public representatives, we represent their aspiration. They are the taxpayers and whom we were elected to serve.
 
At this stage we wish not to cloud all processes focusing on instituting this forensic investigation at Ezemvelo with unnecessary comments in the media and other platforms.
 
This is the point I reiterated during the sitting of the Portfolio Committee.   
 
Ends
 
*ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS – NOMUSA DUBE-NCUBE*
 
Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya – 082 375 4742
Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113

This is a very sad state of affairs.

It's sad enough to see the picture of the staff accommodation thatch roof burning, but even sadder to realise that the people we entrust to look after our mountains, can't even look after their own accommodation, so how are they looking after the mountains.