Cable thieves and arsonists blamed for devastating Kouga fires:
Cable thieves and arsonists are blamed for the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc in ...
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-01-11-cable-thieves-and-arsonists-blamed-for-devastating-kouga-fires/
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Theft and Arson Spark Serious Kouga WildfiresFirefighting teams have battled the blazes for five days, saving most homes and preventing any fatalities amid ongoing investigations.
Key FactsJan 11, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- Multiple wildfires in Kouga, Eastern Cape, were ignited by cable thieves and arsonists deliberately setting the veld on fire.
- The fires began as thieves burned cable insulation to extract copper, prompting investigations and criminal cases at local police stations.
- Aerial and ground crews fought the fires, with some blazes still active near Linderhof while conditions improved north of Humansdorp.
- After five challenging days, emergency teams managed to protect most properties, with only a few houses lost and no lives harmed.
A huge thanks again to all the teams that worked through the night to get this done.— Hutton Bornman, Kouga Mayor, posted on his Facebook page.
Story Details
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| Total Articles | 3 |
Main Topics
local municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
uncontrolled fire of natural, accidental or criminal origin, which spreads over a natural or agricultural area covered by combustible vegetation
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iol.co.za/news/south-africa/how-cable-theft-and-arson-fuelled-the-kouga-wildfires/
Cable thieves and arsonists blamed for devastating Kouga fires: Cable thieves and arsonists are blamed for the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc in ...
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-01-11-cable-thieves-and-arsonists-blamed-for-devastating-kouga-fires/
eNCA Jan 11
Kouga fires | Cable thieves accused of sparking wildfires: In the Eastern Cape, cable thieves are being blamed for wildfires that swept through Kouga this week.
enca.com/news-top-stories/kouga-fires-cable-thieves-accused-sparking-wildfires
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