Devastating fire finally brought under control

The runaway fire that has ravaged an estimated 20 000 hectares of grazing land in the Joe Gqabi district municipality has been contained.

However, disaster management officials have cautioned that dry conditions in the area could lead to more fires breaking out.

The fire is believed to have started in the Burgersdorp mountains on September 24 when lighting struck dry terrain. The flames quickly spread from Burgersdorp to Molteno, Jamestown, Floukraal and Dodrecht near the Chris Hani district municipality.

Joe Gqabi district municipality spokesman Mandla Gceya told the Daily Dispatch yesterday the fire had finally been put out.

“The team is waiting for disaster officers to make an assessment on the damage caused by the fires.”

Gceya said there had been no rain in the district since the beginning of spring.

“According to the South African Weather Services the region will not have rains for another five months,” Gceya said.

The fire has left 20 farmers without food for their livestock.

Agri Eastern Cape – an organisation representing farmers’ interests in the province – said it was still trying to get donations for affected farmers.

Members of the public wishing to make a contribution to the farmers can contact Natasja Barkhuizen at Agri EC on (041)363-1890 or e-mail her on

natasja.barkhuizen@agriec.co.za. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za