KZN hunters deny starting fires which claimed 6 firefighters
Hunters have denied they are responsible for starting the fire that claimed the lives of six firefighters in the Midlands in July.
The fire raged at Stirling Farm in Boston, adjacent to the Sappi Pinewoods plantation.
There have been claims animal poachers started the fire.
A group of hunters from the nearby Mpophomeni, Emaswazini, and Boston met with Umgeni mayor Chris Pappas on Tuesday asking him to help them clear their name.
READ: KZN fires: Farmers battling to get back on their feet
One of them says they are being blamed by the victims' families and their communities for their deaths.
"That is wrong to say it is the hunters who started the fires. They must follow up on what happened, and they must get the truth and the police must also get the truth about what happened.”
Pappas says the group, which also includes dog racers, came to his office and asked for a meeting.
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He says he can't clear their name as the SAPS is on the case.
"There is an ongoing investigation into who started the fire and authorities on the scene on the day, and afterwards, provided information that the alleged source was poachers or hunters on the traditional side of the land try to flush out animals. This is unconfirmed and there are other rumours/information received."
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