A fine of R4 000 for the destruction of four indigenous trees without a permit has been issued against a consultant of a contractor involved in a municipal deforestation spree and road-building project in Makhado (Louis Trichardt)

The fine was issued by Environmental Affairs officer Mr Allan McMurtrie to a person on the scene in Eltivillas, identified as a consultant for the contractor Paballo Consulting Engineers. The fine must be paid by December 8 this year, or the matter will be taken to court on January 5, 2007.

This law enforcement action resulted from the cutting down of a lane of giant trees on the N1 border of the Eltivillas Oriental Plaza on the instruction of the Makhado Municipality. The cutting down of the trees, planted years ago as a strategic tourist-orientated greening project, is causing a major stir amongst local residents.

The giant trees which were cut down consisted predominantly of African and also indigenous South African species. Prominent fever trees, a huge paper bark tree and a large wild seringa were among the indigenous South African trees unceremoniously destroyed alongside numerous giant North African Mahogany trees. The destruction of the indigenous South African trees without a permit from Environmental Affairs, resulted in the fine.

Mr McMurtrie said on enquiry all people and institutions should take note that they cannot just cut down indigenous trees. If there is a really good reason for the removal of such a tree from wherever in the urban or rural areas, a permit must be obtained from Environmental Affairs.

"Anybody who does not comply with this law will be fined," McMurtrie said.

Businesses in the Gateway centre, close to where the trees are being cut down, complained that they were without water for well on two days, without any warning, apology or explanation from the municipality. The water stoppage presumably resulted from the wild demolition action which also left the tarred road in front of these businesses ripped up without any pre-warning to the businesses. On Wednesday there were still no efforts to warn motorists about the demolished tarred road in the busy entrance to the Oriental Plaza. No warning signs were in place to indicate that the road was closed. There was also no visual evidence of any effort to re-direct traffic in an orderly fashion.

Questions about the authorization and execution of this deforestation project remain unanswered. No media release was forthcoming from the municipality. Efforts to obtain information about the reason and authorization of the project, the way in which the tender was advertised and allocated and the amount of taxpayers’ money being spent on the destruction of a valuable asset were fruitless. Ironically, trees were cut down while tenders are being awaited for the landscaping and planting of trees immediately to the north of the demolished lane in front t of the new Makhado Crossing shopping centre.