Community wins Tokai tree-felling case
The Western Cape High Court has ordered that a full public participation process will have to take place to determine whether tree felling at Tokai Forest will resume, says a Cape Argus report. Judge Patrick Gamble’s ruling follows the battles between community-based organisation Parkscape against SA National Parks (SanParks) and Mountain To Ocean (MTO). Parkscape has been lobbying for trees and shade in the area.
It butted heads with SanParks and MTO after they started felling some of the pine trees last August. Gamble found there had been no justifiable argument made by the respondents to expedite the felling, saying while SanParks claimed to have garnered 2 795 signatures from people who were pro-felling, Parkscape said its petition raked in 2 065.
‘Clearly, there are strong views either way,’ Gamble said.
He ruled in Parkscape’s favour, describing SanParks’ argument that felling was ‘a matter of life and death’ as dramatic.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
