Residents fight to save Tokai pines

Tokai residents are raising funds to hire an advocate to apply for an urgent interdict to stop the felling of pine trees in the area.

Cape Town - People have been making pledges of R50 to R10 000 towards hiring an advocate to apply for an urgent interdict to stop the felling of the pines in Lower Tokai.

At about midday on Wednesday, close to R50 000 had been raised by residents determined to try to save the pines which are being harvested by MTO Forestry.

Resident Gerry Hunt-Higgs, who was taking the pledges on behalf of Parkscape, said it needed a minimum of R50 000, but preferably R60 000 to secure the services of an advocate.

People were also signing a petition to save the trees, which ecologists are keen to see gone in an effort to rehabilitate critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos.

Janine Binneman, one of those donating, said she and her children were in the forest almost daily.

"We run and the kids ride their bikes - there is a lovely community spirit."

Binneman said there were few safe public spaces left.

"And as women, where do you go?"

On Tuesday night, felling was interrupted briefly when councillor Penny East had a law enforcement officer delivering a cease works order for operating the harvester after hours.

East said it was against the by-law to run industrial machinery through the night without permission.

She added the city would not issue an interdict on the felling because the fight was between SANParks, MTO Forestry and the community.

"I do feel the residents have been sidelined though and I don't feel adequate engagement has taken place."

But Gavin Bell, area manager for the southern and central section of the Table Mountain National Park, said the Park had done a full public participation process.

He said the decision had been taken 20 years ago at cabinet level and there were leases and contracts in place.

Bell said there were adjacent green belts for people to use until the harvesting was finished and the Tokai picnic area would not be affected.

The arboretum in Tokai Forest, closed after last year's fire, would also be re-opened as soon as tree specialists had given the area the all-clear.

Tarcia Hendricks, spokeswoman for SANParks, said SANParks understood members of the public had applied for an interdict. However, nothing had been issued to the Park at this stage.

"The lawyers from MTO, SANParks and the public are currently liaising to determine the way forward."

She said the harvesting would continue as per the schedule until an outcome had been reached.

helen.bamford@inl.co.za

Cape Argus