Directions for Alert Level 3 Regarding Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of Covid-19 Relating to the Forestry Sector

2. Purpose The purpose of these Directions is to curtail the threat posed by the COVID -19 pandemic and to alleviate, contain and minimise the effects of the national state of disaster, and to ensure fair processes, especially with regard to specified licencing, evaluation of licence applications, inspections and issuing of licenses in terms of the National Forests Act.

3. Application These Directions apply to- (a) issuing authorities responsible for the processes listed in Annexure 1; and (b) all applicants and holders of licenses related to the matters dealt with in Annexure 1. I

4. Activities Issuing authorities will receive and process applications in the manner indicated in Annexure 1 to these Directions. This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 5 JUNIE 2020 No. 43411   5 ANNEXURE 1 Services to be provided by Issuing authorities in tome of the National Forests Act General provisions:

1. The provision of services Indicated in the table below, in addition to the specific restrictions indicated in the table, is subject to all the applicable health and safety and other restrictions, directions and requirements determined in ternis of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) .

2. If there is any uncertainty about whether a service is restricted, the relevant official of the particular authority should be approached for guidance and/or confirmation.

3. For purposes of clarity, a licence required in terms of the National Forests Act is hereafter referred to as a licence.

4. The following email addresses per province must be utilised for the submission of online applications: 4.1 Eastern Cape: NomaiwandeMiltdaff.Qov.za 4.2 Free State: NdabankuluQedaff.pov.za 4.3 Gauteng: MphoTHeidaff.pov.za 4.4 KwaZulu- Natal: EvaDtpdaff.aov.za 4.5 Limpopo: AndrewT daft. ov.za 4.6 Mpumalanga: SivabufelaKtildaff.pov.za 4.7 Northern Cape: JacolineMat&daff.aov.za 4.8 North West: NonzameGt§daff.gov.za 4.9 Western Cape: ThandekaGfhdaff.gov.za Aut[104_ Se p Department of Receipt of applications for Licence applications may be submitted Environment, Forestry licences in terms of sections physically or electronically for: and Fisheries in the 7 and 15 of the National o All development activities that may result

1. Eastern Cape; Forests Act in cutting, destruction, and disturbance in

2. Free State; natural forests; and

3. Gauteng; o All development activities that may result

4. KwaZulu -Natal; in possession, collection, removal,

5. Limpopo; transportation, purchase, and export of

6. Mpumalanga; forest products for which a licence is

7. Northern Cape; uired.

8. North West; Evaluation of licence Evaluation of licence applications may be and applications conducted through site visits by dedicated

9. Western Cape. officials. This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za 6   No. 43411 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 5 JUNE 2020 Authority Mec o: In respect of applications for removal of protected trees that pose a threat to life and property: o Electronic applications must be accompanied by a digital picture of the tree; and o Licence applications that require further evaluation by other competent authorities such as municipalities or provincial offices will be processed when these authorities are o rational. Inspections Site inspections will be conducted as far as practically possible. Where inspections are required, but cannot be conducted, licences may be issued provisionally, subject to a condition that an inspection will be conducted at a later date to be determined by the issuing authority. No site -visits/ inspections will be conducted for applications requiring recommendations from other authorities when these authorities are o rational.. Issuing of licences Licences will be issued manually. Department of Applications for licences in Licence applications may be submitted physically Environment, Forestry terms of section 23 of the or electronically. and Fisheries in the National Forests Act, in

9. Eastern Cape; relation to the following

2. Free State; activities:

3. Gauteng; Felling of trees and

4. KwaZulu -Natal; removal of timber;

5. Limpopo; Establishment and

6. Mpumalanga; management of

7. Northern Cape; plantation;

8. North West; Use and construction and of roads;

9. Western Cape. Use of structures, land and buildings for commercial agriculture, industrial, transportation, residential and communication purposes; Moving of water, electricity, gas, fuel and any other thing across the state forest land; and This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 5 JUNIE 2020 No. 43411   7 Herding of animals and cultivation of state land. Evaluation of licence Evaluation of licence applications may be applications conducted through site visits by dedicated officials. Inspections Site inspections may be conducted, and where there are protected trees posing a threat to life and property, electronic applications must be accom anied b a di ital laure of the tree. Issuing of licences Approved licences will be issued manually. The following offices will be open: o Demar Centre Knysna office o Belville office o Bisho Office o Kokstad office o Mtata office o Polokwane office o Makhado office o Neispruit office o Upington office o North West office o Bloemfontein office o Port Elizabeth office This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za