A TRUCK containing unprocessed timber intended for exportation to South Africa was seized by Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism officials in Windhoek. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the 1 500 planks on the truck are held and the transport permit is temporarily suspended, pending further investigations to establish where the timber came from and if it was legally acquired. Muyunda stated that in 2018 the Ministry introduced a moratorium on timber harvesting, transportation, marketing and exporting. "This has led to a major reduction in deforestation and illegal timber harvesting. The Ministry has also stepped up forest monitoring and inspection activities to prevent illegal operations," he said. Muyunda said stakeholders in the timber sector are reminded that the Forest Act No 12 of 2001 and its regulations restrict the export of unprocessed forest produce, including semi-processed planks. "To ensure compliance of this provision of the law the Ministry issued a directive to our regional and satellite offices that export permits will only be issued by the Director of Forestry in Windhoek as per the provision of the Forestry Act," he said. Muyunda urged the public to be cautious and report any illegal timber activities to the Ministry and other relevant authorities such as the Namibian police. He warned those committing or intending to undertake illegal activities to refrain and follow setout laws and procedures or risk being caught and face the full wrath of the law.