VF Plus Overstrand

🟩 𝗗𝗿. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲́ 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗲𝗸 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝘆𝗱-𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘁𝗼𝗴 🟩

⬇️ Scroll down for English ⬇️

Dr. Corné Mulder, VF Plus-leier, is vandag as deel van sy Dis Ons Tyd-veldtog in die Tuinroete op Oudtshoorn.

Hy vergader tans met plaaslike sakelui waar hy na hul uitdagings, bekommernisse en voorstelle luister, en eerstehands kennis neem van die kwessies wat die plaaslike sakegemeenskap raak.

Lede van die publiek word uitgenooi om vanaand om 18:00 die openbare vergadering in die Rembrandtsaal op Oudtshoorn by te woon, waar dr. Mulder die gehoor sal toespreek.

Foto: Raadsheer Johan Allers (VF Plus Oudtshoorn-leier) en Hetta Pretorius (VF Plus Oudtshoorn-koördineerder) het dr. Mulder by Oudtshoorn Gastehuis verwelkom.

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🟩 𝗗𝗿. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲́ 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 🟩

Dr. Corné Mulder, leader of the VF Plus, is in Oudtshoorn today as part of his It's Our Time campaign across the Garden Route.

He is currently meeting with local business leaders, listening to their challenges, concerns and proposals, while gaining first-hand insight into the issues affecting the local business community.

Members of the public are invited to attend the public meeting tonight at 18:00 in the Rembrandt Hall in Oudtshoorn, where Dr. Mulder will address those present.

Photo: Councillor Johan Allers (VF Plus Oudtshoorn leader) and Hetta Pretorius (VF Plus Oudtshoorn coordinator) welcomed Dr. Mulder to Oudtshoorn Guest House.

Onwettige jag bedreig Overstrand se natuurlike erfenis
(scroll down for English)

Malcolm Grimbeek
VF Plus-raadslid: Overstrand-munisipaliteit
2 Julie 2026

Die DA-beheerde Overstrand-munisipaliteit en CapeNature moet dringend optree teen die toenemende onwettige jag met honde en die gebruik van draadstrikke in die Overstrand en Overberg.

Ondanks talle gesprekke met die munisipaliteit en CapeNature, is daar ná bykans twee jaar steeds geen omvattende strategie om met hierdie ernstige krisis te handel nie.

Die Overstrand vorm deel van die internasionaal erkende Unesco Kogelberg-biosfeerreservaat, wat wêreldwyd bekend is vir sy uitsonderlike biodiversiteit, unieke fynbos en waardevolle wildlewe. Hierdie status bring 'n verantwoordelikheid om die gebied te beskerm. Dit kan nie op die skouers van inwoners, boere, grondeienaars en vrywilligers alleen rus nie.

Die munisipaliteit en CapeNature moet hul wetlike pligte nakom en sigbare optrede verseker.

Draadstrikke en jag met honde eis die lewe van klein wildsbokke, ystervarke, rooikatte, skilpaaie, hase, muishonde en talle ander spesies.

Dit plaas verdere druk op reeds kwesbare wildbevolkings en bedreig die ekologiese balans van die gebied.

Onwettige toegangspaaie, die vertrapping van sensitiewe plantegroei en versteuring van broeigebiede veroorsaak verdere skade aan hierdie unieke ekosisteem.

Die VF Plus versoek daarom dat die Overstrand-munisipaliteit en CapeNature binne 30 dae 'n openbare aksieplan bekend maak wat onder meer die volgende insluit:

• Verhoogde patrollies in bekende probleemgebiede.
• 'n Gesamentlike operasionele plan tussen CapeNature, die munisipaliteit, die polisie en omgewingsorganisasies.
• Gereelde verwydering van draadstrikke.
• Beter intelligensie-insameling en streng vervolging van oortreders.
• 'n Toeganklike openbare verslagdoeningstelsel.
• Voldoende finansiële en menslike hulpbronne vir bewaringstoepassing.
• Deursigtige verslagdoening oor ondersoeke, inhegtenisname en vervolgings.
• Opvoedingsprogramme oor die wetlike en ekologiese gevolge van onwettige jag.

Die Overstrand-munisipaliteit het reeds 'n gespesialiseerde wetstoepassingseenheid met opgeleide honde wat vir die opsporing van perlemoen en dwelms gebruik kan word. Dié hulpbronne kan ook aangewend word om onwettige jag en stropery van wildslewe te bekamp.

Die party versoek verder dat 'n openbare vergadering binne 60 dae gehou word waar die munisipaliteit en CapeNature inwoners kan inlig oor die stappe wat geneem gaan word, hoeveel sake reeds ondersoek is, hoeveel suksesvolle vervolgings plaasgevind het en watter hulpbronne vir die beskerming van die gebied beskikbaar gestel word.

Die VF Plus doen ook 'n beroep op inwoners, boere, grondeienaars, stappers en besoekers om verdagte bedrywighede aan te meld en saam te werk om hierdie kosbare omgewing te beskerm.

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Illegal hunting threatens the Overstrand’s natural heritage

Malcolm Grimbeek
VF Plus Councillor: Overstrand Municipality
2 July 2026

The DA-run Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature must urgently take action against the increasing incidents of illegal hunting with dogs and the use of wire snares in the Overstrand and Overberg regions.

Despite numerous discussions with the municipality and CapeNature, there is still no comprehensive strategy in place after nearly two years to address this serious crisis.

The Overstrand forms part of the internationally recognised UNESCO Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, renowned worldwide for its exceptional biodiversity, unique fynbos, and valuable wildlife. This status carries a responsibility to protect the area. This responsibility cannot rest solely on the shoulders of residents, farmers, landowners, and volunteers.

The municipality and CapeNature must fulfil their legal obligations and ensure visible enforcement action.

Wire snares and hunting with dogs are causing the deaths of small antelope, porcupines, caracals, tortoises, hares, mongooses, and numerous other species.

This places additional pressure on already vulnerable wildlife populations and threatens the ecological balance of the region.

Illegal access roads, trampling of sensitive vegetation, and disturbance of breeding areas are causing further damage to this unique ecosystem.

The VF Plus therefore calls on the Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature to publish a public action plan within 30 days, including the following:

• Increased patrols in known hotspot areas.
• A joint operational plan between CapeNature, the municipality, the police, and environmental organisations.
• Regular removal of wire snares.
• Improved intelligence gathering and strict prosecution of offenders.
• An accessible public reporting system.
• Adequate financial and human resources for conservation enforcement.
• Transparent reporting on investigations, arrests, and prosecutions.
• Educational programmes on the legal and ecological consequences of illegal hunting.

The Overstrand Municipality already has a specialised law enforcement unit with trained dogs used for the detection of abalone and drugs. These resources could also be deployed to help combat illegal hunting and wildlife poaching.

The party further requests that a public meeting be held within 60 days, where the municipality and CapeNature can inform residents about the steps being taken, how many cases have been investigated, how many successful prosecutions have occurred, and what resources are being allocated to protect the area.

The VF Plus also appeals to residents, farmers, landowners, hikers, and visitors to report suspicious activities and to work together to protect this valuable environment.