The Department of Environmental Affairs would like to categorically state that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the proposed four star Safari Hotel development near the Malelane Gate in the Kruger National Park has not been finalised. Therefore, no decision regarding the EIA application has been made yet, despite recent misleading media reports.
Certain media have wilfully misinterpreted or selectively quoted the statements made by the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi. Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi recently indicated that the department was in principle not opposed to hotels in national parks on condition that the necessary environmental processes were followed.
This essentially means that the proposed Safari Hotel development in the Kruger National Park will be subjected to an EIA process in terms of the EIA Regulations promulgated under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).The outcome of the EIA process will determine whether final authorisation is granted by the department.
The EIA is a pro-active and systematic process where potential environmental impacts, both positive and negative, associated with listed activities promulgated in terms of sections 24 (2) and 24D, respectively, of NEMA are assessed. The process advises decision makers regarding the desirability of such activities in a specific receiving environment and about which conditions the activity should be subject to, where relevant.The EIA also entails a public participation process to ensure that interested and affected parties are consulted during the process.
The application for the construction of the proposed Safari Hotel development near the Malelane Gate in the Kruger National Park is currently in the Scoping Phase of the EIA process.
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) subscribes to and is bound by the principles in NEMA and is committed to its mission to create a prosperous and equitable society that lives in harmony with our environment.
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
