activity
3 July 2006
The Gauteng Green Scorpions will receive their credentials and immediately
embark on compliance enforcement against suspected environmental criminals on
10 July 2006.
Following an intensive, high quality bridging training course offered by the
Gauteng Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in collaboration with
the University of Pretoria and supported by the environmental agencies of
England and Wales and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the
Gauteng Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) dubbed Green Scorpions will
come of age in a graduation ceremony to be held at the Johannesburg
International Airport on the 10 July 2006.
These EMIs are expected to immediately after the graduation ceremony conduct
unannounced visits to three sites that can not be named at the moment. These
enforcement exercises accord with the powers conferred on EMIs which include
among others powers to search and seize property/items, to establish and
conduct road blocks, to arrest suspects, to issues enforceable compliance
notices and to do routine inspections and investigations.
The enforcement exercises and the ongoing work of the EMIs are all in
support of the provincial strategic objectives of building secure and
sustainable communities and stimulating faster economic growth. These
activities are also in line with the constitutional right which gives all our
people a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well
being.
The obligations created by this constitutional right have given rise to the
promulgation of a number of Acts, laws and regulations including the National
Environmental Management Act (NEMA). NEMA recognises that by harming the
environment, the environmental criminal can harm or even kill people, plants
and animals that are dependent on the environment for their survival. NEMA has
therefore decreed certain activities that degrade the environment a crime.
The Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mr Khabisi
Mosunkutu, accompanied by members of the Gauteng Provincial Governmentâs (GPGs)
Standing Committee for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, senior
government leaders of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council, representatives of
the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Prosecution Authority (PA)
will officiate at this graduation ceremony.
Members of the media are also invited. In consideration of the security and
logistical arrangements at the venue, transport has been arranged especially
for journalists. In this regard parking at our offices is also available.
The designation ceremony will take place as follows;
Date: Monday, 10 July 2006
Time: 09h00
Venue: ACSA Business Centre (located at International Arrivals, next to the
Post Office) Johannesburg International Airport
For parking and transport arrangements please RSVP with Ms Bongiwe Ngcobo at
(011) 355 1427 or at bongiwe.ngcobo@gauteng.gov.za
For further details contact:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: (011) 355 1316
Cell: 082 778 9996
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
3 July 2006
