
SANParks deploys fire trucks to assist Knysna amid water crisis
South African National Parks (SANParks) has stepped in to support Knysna Municipality by deploying two fire trucks to help manage the ongoing water crisis affecting the region.
The trucks, stationed in the Garden Route National Park, are being used for water distribution and relief efforts.
This move is part of SANParks' ongoing commitment to community support and intergovernmental cooperation, particularly during emergencies.
While SANParks is not formally part of the municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC), it is actively collaborating with the local government to strengthen the response.
Knysna Municipality established a JOC on 14 May 2025 to coordinate efforts addressing the severe water supply challenges.
SANParks, though not part of the JOC's structure, is liaising with authorities to offer logistical and on-the-ground assistance where needed.
SANParks confirmed that it remains in close contact with local officials and is continuously assessing the situation to provide further help.
'We remain in close communication with local authorities and are committed to providing additional support where feasible,' the agency stated.
This partnership exemplifies SANParks' dedication to protecting not only South Africa's natural heritage but also the well-being of its communities.
As the water crisis persists, SANParks' contribution is a timely and impactful gesture in the broader effort to restore normalcy in Knysna.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Killing entire troops of Cape baboons is once again a very real threat despite 25 years of hard effort
If we are to sum up more than 25 years of active work, research and effort, we can say that there are no baboon-proof bins, none of the suggested strategic baboon-proof fences, no fines or prosecutions, very little education or signage, but now a huge threat of loss of life for 120 baboons. 3 June 3 2025: 120 baboons to be 'removed' In my book Beast or Blessing I examined the history of baboons and established that baboons have been around for many thousands of years, and certainly living on the Cape Peninsula before the arrival of the first settlers. But it is neither here nor there who got here first – the priority must be to manage the situation so that we co-exist; wildlife neighbours alongside urban dwellers. In my mind, I see baboons living their best lives in natural spaces and in the event that they opportunistically forage in human occupied spaces, I would hope we have efficient steps in place to minimise conflict and to keep our different spaces respectfully separate. Given their respective mandates, roles and responsibilities, the authorities should make our ideals a reality. However, the nub of the problem is that although the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, SANParks and Table Mountain National Park (the Joint Task Team, JTT) have known about baboons on the Cape Peninsula all this long time they have failed to manage either baboons or their human neighbours appropriately. Looking back over the peninsula's history, apart from sound aversion trials at Cape Point in the 1950s, there was no management other than if the baboons 'stepped out of line' whole troops were executed. Baboons were disposable and our conservation bodies acquiesced as scientists and doctors used baboons to experiment upon (who can forget Dr Chris Barnard's experimental heart surgery for which countless baboons gave their lives). It was only in the 1990s, when Wally Petersen and I started KEAG, that the lack of management really came under scrutiny and efforts were made to educate residents and find mitigation solutions. The Kansky Gaynor WWF Management Plan of 2002 laid out and prioritised solutions and Dr Kansky's educational booklet, 'Baboons on the Cape Peninsula', provided education and understanding to residents of affected areas. (Both of these documents are still valued today). But despite the focused management plan and education drive, the roles of the authorities continued to be problematic and their lack of cooperation held the project back from achieving all it could. For example, they all agreed on mitigation – in fact their own protocols insist on mitigation as the first step in management – yet there are still no baboon-proof bins and no fines for noncompliance of existing regulations and by-laws. The JTT state that they manage a 'healthy, sustainable population' of baboons within this urban context and they do so by relying heavily on the monitor project – ironically referred to as the Urban Baboon Programme. The URBAN Baboon programme, not baboons of the wild programme. And the irony continues as the baboons are blamed for being overly habituated due to being 'fed by residents', when in fact the baboons are being 'fed' daily from unsecure waste and from bins, from poorly managed business sites and at the SA Navy. Could CapeNature fine the City of Cape Town for feeding baboons, I wonder? Although I am quite sure a few people may actively feed baboons, the main cause of 'time in town' is the high food attractants found in waste and these rich rewards will continue to lure baboons into town no matter how often baboons are hurt, paintballed or shot. We know this, yet after 26 years there are still no baboon-proof bins and in the latest bin procurement failure we are told that they 'underestimated how strong baboons are' and that the new lock won't work. Flags of concern were raised as early as 2004 when Dr Kansky noted how little of the management plan had been implemented and called for an audit. The authorities dived for cover and instead of the objective review requested, they became progressively less inclined to implement any of the mitigation solutions. We could talk about the court cases, the workshops, the endless meetings, but at the end of all of that hard effort and time, killing entire troops of baboons is once again a very real and imminent threat because, really, the JTT are simply too disinterested to do anything else. More than 80 baboons were killed in terms of the JTT's BBTG3 protocol – despite the fact that their own protocol calls for mitigation strategies as the first step. Now 120 baboons must be removed – removed to either a newly created sanctuary or they will be killed – or there may be a combination of some baboons being killed and some removed if a sanctuary can be found. If we are to sum up more than 25 years of active work, research and effort, we can say that there are no baboon-proof bins, none of the suggested strategic baboon-proof fences, no fines or prosecutions, very little education or signage, but now a huge threat of loss of life for 120 baboons. What is so very sad in this whole shambolic mess is the fact that the JTT have trialled aversion techniques, but never given any consideration for attracting the baboons back up the mountains. We have suggested enriching areas, provision of water points, planting food forests and even short-term food provisioning to break the cycle of baboons coming into urban areas and rather keeping them on the mountain – all to no avail. The new service provider is hoping to reach a consensus on the way forward – but to get to that point we are expected to accept that there will be no negotiation on the one area that the general public probably would get behind and support: provisioning as a trial rather than killing as an end result. As we wade through the current murky mess one thing is clear: we will not stop fighting! To quote the Green Group of Simon's Town (in relation to the new JTT plan): 'Talk of euthanasia isn't humane – it's calculated killing to conceal failure. This is not the baboons' failure. It's the failure of management, of policy and of ethics.' DM Jenni Trethowan is the founder member of the Baboon Matters Trust and has been advocating for better management of the baboon-human interface for the past 25 years.


8 hours ago
Orlando Pirates fight to keep key man amid Al Ahly Interest
Orlando Pirates have stepped up their efforts to retain Deon Hotto, despite mounting interest from clubs in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egyptian giants Al Ahly, now coached by former Bucs boss Jose Riveiro. The Namibian international, who joined the Buccaneers from Bidvest Wits in 2020, has become a cornerstone of the squad thanks to his relentless work ethic, adaptability, and leadership both on and off the pitch. With his current deal nearing its expiry, Pirates have already tabled a renewal offer. The club is determined to reward the 34-year-old for his consistent performances and senior presence in the team. 'The club is keen to renew his contract,' said the source. Hotto's influence stretches beyond match days. Inside the dressing room, he plays a vital leadership role that the club sees as essential to nurturing its younger talent. As the Soweto giants gear up for future campaigns, blending youth with experience remains a top priority, making Hotto's retention even more critical. Reports linking Hotto with a reunion with Jose Riveiro at Al Ahly have surfaced, but sources believe a move is improbable. While Riveiro is said to admire Hotto, key decisions at the Cairo-based club require board-level approval. The source also revealed that age could be a sticking point in any potential transfer. With Hotto now in his thirties, Al Ahly may be reluctant to invest in a veteran. Despite the interest from abroad, Orlando Pirates remain laser-focused on tying Hotto down for the long term. Talks are believed to be at an advanced stage. With the club eager to finalise the deal before pre-season preparations begin. With Hotto's influence showing no signs of fading. Keeping him at Mayfair appears to be a top priority for a team looking to stay competitive both domestically and continentally. Will Orlando Pirates convince Hotto to stay? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


12 hours ago
Young Springbok receives top award
Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom was officially unveiled on Wednesday as the 'Next-Gen' Player of the Season, which was voted for by members of the media across all five URC nations. He joins Ruben van Heerden (Tackle Machine), Tom Farrell (Playmaker), Ioan Llyod (Gilbert Golden Boot), Harri Millard (OFX Top Try Scorer), and Cam Winnett (Ironman) in winning individual awards for their monumental efforts this season. When it comes to the award claimed by Hanekom, a statement read: 'This category is open to players who were aged 23 or under at the start of the season, and had earned no more than five international caps at the beginning of the 2024/25 season. They must also have played at least nine games in the 2024/25 URC season. In voting for Hanekom, a member of the media said: 'Cameron Hanekom is supremely powerful in a thoroughly focused way, whether ripping the ball off the opposition or carrying it up. He has learned to be more selective at the breakdown and has a massive engine. A thrilling runner in space as well. Previous winners of his award include Munster's Jack Crowley (2023/34), Ulster's Tom Stewart (2022/23) and DHL Stormers forward, Evan Roos (2021/22). In what is effectively a 'Dream Team' for the season, Hanekom has also been named alongside several other South Africans. Elite XV 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby) 14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 13. Tom Farrell (Munster Rugby) 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) 11. Blair Murray (Scarlets) 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers) 9. Craig Casey (Munster Rugby) 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls) 2. Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) 3. Wilco Louw (Bulls) 4. RG Snyman (Leinster Rugby) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby) 6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) 7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 8. Cameron Hanekom (Bulls) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.