Pilanesberg Airport Fire: Economic sabotage or negligence?

30 August 2023

The DA requests the North West Provincial Government and the SAPS to investigate the possibility of economic sabotage in the province. This call comes after the growing sporadic fires targeting critical infrastructure within the province, such as yesterday's fire at Pilanesberg Airport, which caused serious damage to the facility’s infrastructure.

We appreciate the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management's undertaking to investigate the Pilanesberg Airport fire; however, we believe closer scrutiny must be given as there appears to be much more behind these fires.

Critical infrastructure has been engulfed by fire leaving a trail of destruction in North West over the last few years, specifically, yesterday’s Pilanesberg Airport, then Christiana Hospital, the Mmabatho Palms Resort, a section of the Department of Social Development’s offices, a section of the Department of Agriculture’s offices, the Lichtenburg Waste Tyre Depot, and the Potchefstroom Train Station, not to mention the massive veld fires destroying tens of hectares of vegetation, livestock and property.

The DA conducted an unannounced oversight inspection at the Pilanesberg Airport on 11 August 2023. We were escorted to the Tower by the Air Traffic Controller. We came across an open, unmanned server room, which in itself posed a serious fire risk. (See images here, here and here)

While the intention of our oversight inspection was mainly to monitor the renovation project piloted by the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, there was no sign of any repairs or maintenance taking place. There was no contractor or maintenance company on site. We have already submitted written question to MEC Sello Lehari through the Legislature to account for the absence of any work at the Pilanesberg Airport.

These fires are causing the destruction of critical infrastructure required to deliver services to residents. The destruction brought by fire not only threaten the safety of residents, but also impact negatively on economic development, economic growth, job creation and security, attracting investment.

In addition, renovating or rebuilding critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed by fire puts an additional burden on the fiscus during a time when government hardly has enough money to deliver even the most basic of services.

These fires must be thoroughly investigated. If due to some sort of economic sabotage those found to be responsible must be prosecuted, and if due to negligence, those responsible must be held accountable.

Issued by Freddy Sonakile, DA Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, 30 August 2023