Overstrand
Probe into policing capacity in Overstrand welcomed
It was alleged the Gansbaai, Hermanus, Kleinmond and Stanford police stations were unable to perform their constitutional mandate due to a lack of resources.
The fire started on the Groenlandberg mountain earlier this week and was fanned by overnight winds, damaging some farm properties on Saturday morning.
Sheldon April is accused of having set light to dry vegetation in the mountains above Betty’s Bay when he fired a signal flare.
Sheldon April appeared in the Caledon Magistrates Court on Friday for the continuation of his bail application.
The victims of the fires in the Overstrand region of the Western Cape are counting their losses and attempting to move on with their lives.
Water and electricity supply have been affected by damage to water meters and power lines.
Overstrand Fire and Disaster's Marlu Rust says no properties are in danger.
It is one of three fires raging in the area.
The department says the Betty's Bay and Hermanus fires are under control but not contained, and the Franskraal fire is still very active.
The fires broke out on Friday, with local municipalities instructing residents in some areas to evacuate their homes.
Fires are now raging in Franskraal, Karwyderskraal and Betty's Bay where the inferno is moving down the mountain towards the road.
The R43 between Stanford and Franskraal has been closed following a flareup of three fire lines earlier on Friday.
The alleged firestarter, Shelton April, will appear in court again next week. A Pringle Bay woman died from smoke inhalation during the blaze.
A fire that’s been raging in parts of the Overstrand has been completely contained, but emergency crews aren't letting down their guard just yet.
Fynbos Enterprises founder Sunra Mostert makes pure, locally scented honey and candles and toiletries made using beeswax and raw honey.
Shelton April appeared in the Caledon Magistrates Court on Monday on a count of contravening the National Environmental Management Act.
A Pringle Bay resident died from smoke inhalation last week at the height of the wildfire. Two other people were injured.
The City of Cape Town Fire Services says the fire has spread from the Betty’s Bay area on the upper slopes of the mountain.
Officials say the fire behind Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay has been contained.