Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
MANAGEMENT OF STATE COMMERCIAL FORESTRY FUNCTIONS: NORTHERN PROVINCE
30 OCTOBER 1995
The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Prof Kader Asmal, MP, has announced that there has been considerable anxiety in forestry interests and among workers concerning the ultimate destination of commercial forestry functions in the former TBCV and homeland areas. This is especially so in relation to the Northern Province.
As forestry is not a Schedule 6 function of the Interim Constitution, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is responsible for the management of Forestry in the Provinces, including the Northern Province.
Until such time that there is clarity on the future of these forests the Department will manage all the forestry functions in the Northern Province, and give the assurance that no decisions about the future will be taken without prior consultation.
The failure of these commercial forests in this Province must be decided in consultation with all the affected parties and, especially, the staff involved. This will take time.
ENQUIRIES: MR HENNIE COETZEE TEL: (012) 299 2590