Residents take to streets over nature reserve

FRUSTRATED members of the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve community on Wednesday marched to the offices of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA).

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mncedi Mhlangala said they wanted to demonstrate their anger and dissatisfaction with the way ECPTA and government had handled the issue of how they benefited from the reserve.

Mhlangala said they had been fighting for access to the reserve, hoping that legal recognition and justice would prevail.

“The struggle for access goes back 15 years and attempts to resolve the matter have not had any positive results,” said Mhlangala.

In 2000 the department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism (Dedeat) declared Dwesa-Cwebe a no-take Marine Protected Area (MPA) and ordered that fishing would no longer be allowed there.

He said one of their demands was that fishing permits should be issued to all local fishermen to avoid any disputes between fishermen and ECPTA rangers. Other demands include: ● Elections should be held for the Dwesa-Cwebe Community Property Association (CPA) as the association was no longer valid;

● Until a new CPA was elected, the lease agreement for the Haven Hotel should also not be signed; and

● The invalid Dwesa-Cwebe CPA should bring forward an audited financial report before the end of May.

Mhlangala said the community had run out of patience. —