KNYSNA NEWS - As our whole country and people abroad got involved in relief efforts to Knysna fire-affected victims, a steady stream of supplies and donations followed in the wake thereof.
With it also came much confusion and rumours of abuse of these supplies and the Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) has been inundated by calls and emails either with enquiries or accusations of wrongdoing.
In a press release on June 14, the Knysna municipality stated that it was brought to their attention that there had been many cases of non-fire victims visiting the centres, preventing those in dire need of aid from proper access.
“As such, the ad hoc distribution centres set up in the immediate aftermath of the disaster have been closed. The closure was communicated to communities through various channels, including through on-the-ground communications.
We have seen some disruption at the previous distribution sites today, as despite our best efforts, not all residents will have received the message. Extra safety officers have been made available,” the statement read.
Queries sent to the municipality to find out what it plans to do about such alleged abuse, and to get clarity on legitimate receiving and distribution centres, were left unanswered at the time of going to print.
Receiving and dispatching points
• Old Main Building basement, Spring Street, Knysna: All types of donations.
This centre is still in operation. During a visit to the centre on June 27, KPH witnessed that the centre is almost packed to the brim. Municipal employees, including law enforcement, and volunteers were still sorting supplies. An anonymous volunteer said that they receive goods and then distribute them according to the needs compiled by the different ward-based supply centres.
• Checkers, 2nd floor parking area, Knysna Village Square, 38 Rawson Street: Reserved for Gift of the Givers – still in operation. As with the Spring Street centre, this centre only distributes supplies to the different ward-based supply centres as per a needs list.
• Kloppers basement, 54 Main Road: All types of donations – still in operation.• Woodmill Walk, 15 Long Street, Knysna Central : BULK donations
Supply drop-off points
• Knysna Vineyard Church, 23 Bokmakierie Street, Old Place
• Chris Nissen hall, White Location
• St George’s Anglican church, Main Rd
Registration and collection points
Residents are encouraged to go to the relevant collection points in their own wards, as follows:• Concordia High School
• Khayalethu hall
• Chris Hani hall
• Hornlee hall
• Karatara hall
• Sedgefield municipal office
• The Vineyard church will continue to assist town and western areas
Who exactly is coordinating these resources, and who is coordinating who gets what, are questions left unanswered by the municipality.
One company that has played a large role in transporting supplies to Knysna is DHL Supply Chain.
Paul Cowley, DHL Supply Chain’s Plumbago distribution centre manager, recalls receiving the communication about the joint partnership between DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Express – in an effort to collect and distribute donated aid to victims of the Knysna fires.
“Requests came in from executives at Pick n Pay in Gauteng and Bela-Bela in Limpopo, to transport donated blankets and other items to their branch in Knysna by the next day. With the support of 40 volunteers, assisting during and after office hours, our team loaded up to 8 tons of stock and delivered it within 24 hours,” said Cowley.
He further added that from June 9 to June 19, DHL Supply Chain provided 15 superlink trucks to transport stock from Gauteng to both Knysna and Cape Town.
Name: Emergency Fund
Nedbank account no. 1147920699
Ref: Knysna Fire
Swift code: NEDSZAJJ
A truck gets loaded with clothing, among other items, on Tuesday, June 27 in Spring Street.
Supplies being distributed under the watchful eye of a local law enforcement officer at the Spring Street supply centre.
ARTICLE & PHOTOS: STEFAN GOOSEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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