The Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Mr Anton Bredell addressed members of the Western Cape Environmental Crime Forum (WCECF) at the first quarterly meeting yesterday Monday, 14 March 2011. This Forum, established by the department, is a collaborative engagement with other key stakeholders such as CapeNature, City of Cape Town, the National Department of Water Affairs and the provincial Department of Agriculture.
The WCECF is an institutional arrangement comprising Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI's) from various specialised areas such as air quality, waste and pollution management as well as biodiversity.
The primary aim of the forum is to advance the following objectives:
- Improve the effectiveness of the enforcement of compliance with environmental laws
- Initiate and co-ordinate joint compliance and enforcement operations
- Share information, skills and knowledge
- Limit state expenditure by sharing resources
- Giving effect to the constitutional imperative of co-operative governance.
Provincial Minister, Bredell said that he was concerned that future generations would only have two choices if the environment is not protected from the evidently increasing activities that lead to environmental ruin. "Our children will either enjoy and experience the natural environment as we do today or walk the face of this planet, not seeking employment, but how best to survive in an environment that is not conducive to sustaining life as we know it".
Environmental Management Inspectors explained that in order to improve the efficacy of environmental crime management, focus must be placed on the arrangement of multi-disciplinary teams, support from all spheres to international legal cooperation and investigations, and the prosecution of "ring leaders"
The forum will aim to advance increased participation by municipalities, extend participation to other organs of state and semi-state organs and to encourage the participation of the South African Police Services and National Prosecuting Authority during its quarterly forum meetings. A presentation delivered by the department revealed that a total of 220 complaints were received during 2010 of which 18 per month were registered as illegal dumping.
"We administer legislation to protect an environment, under threat, for an estimated 5.3 million people in the Western Cape. Overwhelming evidence of flattened sand dunes, the illegal dumping of chemicals, the illegal storage and dumping of medical waste as well an increase in the number of illegal structures being erected, bear testament to environmental ruin", said Provincial Minister, Mr Anton Bredell.
The minister applauded the number of joint investigations between the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and other spheres of government, saying that "during the 2008/09 financial year 18 joint investigations were conducted in the Cape Town area and 27 such investigations during the 2009/10 financial year. Eight joint investigations were conducted in the George area during both financial periods. We need to take hands, not to duplicate environmental compliance and enforcement, but we need to harness the resources of all spheres of government through cooperative relations. It is important that we assess the various violations, and to identify how best to improve our management approaches to address these".
The forum also focused on principles of best practice to address issues such as the increase of illegal dumping and identifying severe sources of water pollution. A point of concern was also raised regarding how best to manage "after hours" enforcement in the various areas. Control mechanisms such as the issuing of dumping certificates during waste disposal was proposed as a point for discussion at the next quarterly meeting. This would ensure that organisations disposing of different types of waste are monitored according to environmental legislation.
Media enquiries:
Aziel Gangerdine (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 021 483 4643
Fax: 021 483 3211
Cell: 071 866 9887
E-mail: aziel.gangerdine@pgwc.gov.za
