The DA has written to the Limpopo Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Ernest Rachoene, to investigate the alleged arson started by Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers on the shoulders of the D1589 road on 18 June 2025 and to ensure EPWP worker conduct is in line with the law, and measures are in place to ensure there aren’t similar incidents.
The DA demands proof that those who set these fires in an effort to remove grass next to the roads adhere to the Fire danger rating system and are aware of dangerous conditions that can assist fires to easily go out of control. Further, the MEC must provide proof that the adjacent landowners were informed that these workers plan to start random fires on the shoulders of the roads and proof that firefighting training was done.
A letter was received from the Bo-Brak Boerevereniging (Agricultural Association) with another attached letter from Chief KB Makgato in which it is alleged that the EPWP workers set fire to burn trees that were cut down on the shoulders of the road. The fire got out of control and quickly spread to the adjacent farm “Ayam”, and although community members tried to stop the fire, it was not possible and a large area was burned to ashes, seemingly causing a lot of damage to farmland in the area.
Another statement further claims that an EPWP supervisor was asked if the EPWP workers had been trained and they were informed that only the leader of the team had attended a workshop.
The failure of the department to have EPWP workers carry out such work without extensive training puts lives, property and land at risk every time these types of fires are started by EPWP workers. This will also expose the department to legal claims.
Alarmingly, this is not the first time the EPWP workers seem to have lost control of a fire, in August 2024, EPWP workers started a fire on the shoulders of the R522. At that stage the Head of the Department indicated that training will be provided to the EPWP workers and that a strict prohibition will be put in place on any open fires. This clearly was not done.
We request MEC Rachoene to launch an urgent investigation into the circumstances of the fire on the shoulder of the D1589, the damage it caused, whether the department is liable, the conduct of the EPWP workers and whether they had been trained.