2009/08/05
A CYCAD plant estimated to be more than 200 years old was cut down last week near Frere Hospital – and angry East London residents have blamed municipal workers.
The plant, which is an endangered species and protected by law in South Africa and internationally, was cut down on Friday afternoon.
Randall Brechtje , a cycad lover, said she saw people in orange overalls cutting down the plant.
“This was an old tree and an endangered species. Cycads are precious trees. You’ve to get permission to even have it in your yard.”
She said the tree was estimated to be over 200 years old.
John de Lange , who is a cycad grower, also believed Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) workers were responsible for the damage.
“Cycads are protected, endangered species and anyone found cutting them or collecting their seeds without permission from a nature conservation department can be fined or prosecuted.”
De Lange said he was shocked to discover that the large plant had been chopped down.
“Two years ago, I wrote to BCM requesting a permit to collect cycad seeds to grow them but my request was declined.”
A permit from BCM would have allowed him to get approval from Nature Conservation, he said.
“It does not make sense to me now to find out that they have cut down an endangered species which I tried to preserve.”
Another resident, Andrè Botha, said BCM should have dug the tree out and relocated it somewhere else.
“For them to cut the tree down is unacceptable. That is an endangered species, which is protected by legislation.”
Botha, who said he had been collecting information on cycads for Nature Conservation, said the tree was 2.5m high .
“It is one of our landmarks in East London and in the country.”
Municipal spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said an investigation would be conducted. “As for now, I cannot confirm if it was BCM workers who cut down that tree. An investigation is going to be conducted and probably by tomorrow, we will know who was responsible.”
Ngwenya said at present there was no municipal by-law permitting the municipality or any other individual to cut down endangered species.
“This matter is going to be taken up by the Environmental Services directorate and will be tabled before the council to adopt a by-law.”
Currently, BCM has to apply for approval to the Eastern Cape Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Department for permission whenever an endangered species needs to be removed, he said. - By MSINDISI FENGU
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