AfriForum has requested the Western Cape Government to seriously look into entry restrictions of some public coastal areas in especially the Eden Municipal District between Gouritsmond and Stilbaai.
The AfriForum Stilbaai branch was assigned to facilitate talks with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, at a meeting with the Hessequa Municipality, farmers’ unions and the Gouritsmond Fishing Association.
During the talks, in April this year, with the Head of the Department, Mr Piet van Zyl, he expressed his concern regarding the consequences of the so-called “red lines” which were drawn in on the map by Surveyors-General until 1927, which shifted the borders of land owners into the ocean, closed entry routes and limited public access to the coast.
“The sea belongs to everyone and everyone should have access to it,” Stefan Pieterse, Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in the Western and Northern Cape said.
Mr Van Zyl has now committed to find solutions to the challenges regarding access to coastal areas, with the cooperation and inputs of the National Department of Environmental Affairs, the Western Cape Department of Public Works, the Surveyor-General, municipalities and community organisations.
“We are satisfied with the outcome of the talks and we trust with Mr Van Zyl that these initiatives will bring an end to disputes and legal actions,” Evert Bouwer, Chairman of the AfriForum Stilbaai branch said.
Evert Bouwer
Chairman: Stilbaai branch
AfriForum
Cell: 083 733 7828
E-mail: ejpbouwer@telkomsa.net
