Residents have reacted with shock and horror over the last few days after two pine plantations in town were cut down.

Petro Steenkamp has filed an official complaint about the cutting down of the trees, and Karen Barnard has written an ode to the pine trees. (The story will appear later.)

Ms Steenkamp forwarded her complaint to Councillor Elsie Vermooten and DA Leader Bosman Grobler.

She said what happened is absolutely unacceptable.

Her complaint reads as follows:

“I hereby wish to submit a formal appeal regarding the actions taken by Mr Nico Minnie and his unidentified associates.

“Accountability is required, and the truth must be brought to light.

“According to reports, Mr Minnie did not have authorisation from the municipality to cut down the town’s old trees. I am firmly of the opinion that more individuals were involved in this matter.

“Regardless of the circumstances, this constitutes damage to our town’s trees, and I strongly believe these actions were motivated by personal gain.

“In light of this, the following request is submitted: The legal accountability be enforced against all parties involved and that justice be served on behalf of our town, its residents, and its natural environment.

“That the felled trees be removed as soon as possible by reputable and trustworthy parties, so that the wood may be preprocessed and used to manufacture furniture for our own local old age homes and the town’s children’s home, where there is a genuine need.

“I feel strongly that no financial benefit should occur to any of the guilty parties.”