Truck carrying unprocessed timber intercepted

Last week in Windhoek, the environment ministry intercepted a truck full of unprocessed tinder intended for export to South Africa.

According to ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda 1 500 planks on the truck were confiscated, while the driver’s transport permit was also temporarily suspended pending further investigations to establish where the timber came from and whether it was legally acquired.

According to Muyunda, the ministry introduced a moratorium on timber harvesting, transportation, marketing and exporting in 2018.

“This has led to a major reduction in deforestation and illegal timber harvesting. The ministry has also stepped up forest monitoring and inception activities to ensure prevention of illegal operations.”

The ministry urged the public to be cautious and report any illegal timber activities to the ministry and other relevant authorities such as the police.

Full wrath of the law

“We further warn those committing or intending to undertake illegal activities to refrain and follow set out laws and procedures or risk of being caught and face the full wrath of the law.”

Muyunda said stakeholders in the timber sector are reminded that the Forest Act No 12 of 2001 and its regulations restrict the export of unprocessed forest produce, including semi-processed planks.

“To ensure compliance of this provision of law, the ministry issued a directive to our regional and satellite offices that export permits will only be issued by the Director of Forestry in Windhoek as per the provision of the Forestry Act.”