Reserve visitor fined for making fire on a dune

18 September 2020

Those visiting the City’s nature reserves can be assured that they are in a safe space where unlawful conduct is not allowed. This includes making fires, as a visitor to the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve discovered recently. Read more below:

A visitor to the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve near Atlantis was fined for making an open fire on the dunes. He was issued a R500 fine for lighting the fire.

Making an open fire within a nature reserve is prohibited, and this is also indicated on signboards at the entrance to the nature reserve. The visitor was fined in terms of the Public Parks By-law, which states that a person entering a public park must observe and comply with all notices displayed.

The incident happened on Sunday, 6 September 2020, when nature conservation rangers from the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch noticed a group of 4x4 drivers parked on the dunes in the nature reserve.

They were making an open fire for a braai.

The rangers called the Marine and Environmental Law Enforcement Unit for assistance who fined the person responsible for lighting the fire.

The visitors were instructed to extinguish the fire, and to put the braai equipment away. They were reminded that open fires were not permitted. They were allowed to stay on in the reserve after they removed their braai apparatus.

‘It is only recently that the Marine and Environmental Law Enforcement Unit started operating within our nature reserves and this is the very first fine the unit has issued within the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. The unit will be working in the City’s nature reserves so that we can improve compliance with the Nature Reserve Regulations and all applicable by-laws.

‘We welcome all residents and visitors to our nature reserves, but entry is conditional, and they are required to follow the rules and to obey special instructions on signboards. The City is responsible for conserving Cape Town’s unique biodiversity, and also to ensure that visitors can enjoy our natural environment and reserves in a safe and responsible manner,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.

Residents can report illegal activities to the City’s Emergency Call Centre on 021 480 7700.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office