News

In the matter between South African National Parks, MTO forestry and Parkscape, a judge in the Cape High Court heard the matter today, 08 November 2016 and ruled that he will not be making a final ruling today and that the matter will be ruled upon in 2017. Judgment in the matter is reserved until the first quarter of 2017.

Parkscape, who took MTO and SANParks to court in a bid to halt the pine tree felling in Lower Tokai secured a court date in September 2016 to have the felling paused. In the interest of all stakeholders, SANParks and MTO forestry stopped the tree felling in order for the legal process to conclude.

The tree felling is undertaken by MTO in terms of a lease agreement concluded between MTO and the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. This lease agreement was subsequently transferred to SANParks with the management of the Cecilia and Tokai plantations by the organisation.

“Despite the legal mandate that MTO forestry has in terms of tree felling, it was decided not to continue while the court case is taking place”. – said Lesley Ann Meyer, Table Mountain National Park Manager.

Enquiries

Tarcia Hendricks
Public Relations Officer – SANParks Cape Region
E-mail: [email protected]