SENSELESS DESTRUCTION OF PCU RESEARCH VEHICLE

As a result of events on the night of 16th February 2016 the Plant Conservation Unit’s research vehicle was set alight.  All that remains is a charred wreck.  The 2010 model Mazda BT-50 4x4 originally formed part of a loan agreement with the Mazda Wildlife Fund but was donated to the university in 2015.  Over the last six years the vehicle has supported both our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research programmes.  At least 10 PhD, 10 MSc, 9 Honours and 8 staff members and post-docs have used the vehicle to carry out their research within southern Africa.  Our diverse group of students come from across South Africa, the African continent and the world and nearly all have gone on to build successful careers in the conservation sector.  They now contribute significantly to our understanding and management of the environment as a direct result of their research experience and qualifications obtained at UCT.  Also, for more than 20 years the Plant Conservation Unit has been carrying out research in a small rural village in Namaqualand.  This work has created jobs, supported farmers and has benefited many people from the village both directly and indirectly.  The vehicle was essential to our efforts and its senseless destruction is a major blow to our research and transformation programme.

PCU Mazda vehicle on Wednesday morning

In happier times!