Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, will deliver the keynote address at the 9th Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Lekgotla, in Muldersdrift, Gauteng on 14 November 2022.<\/p>\n
The theme of this year\u2019s lekgotla, which is taking place from 14 \u2013 17 November 2022, is Facing Unchartered Waters: New Challenges and Solutions for the Green Scorpions.<\/p>\n
Commonly known as the Green Scorpions, the Environmental Management Inspectorate has recently experienced several unforeseen challenges in the green, brown and blue sub-sectors. These include dealing with the dual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a decrease in certain types of environmental non-compliances, but triggering a significant increase in others. These include unlawful land invasions\/occupation in and around protected areas\/state forests. <\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, the Green Scorpions are still expected to give effect to Section 24 of the Constitution by protecting the environment in a manner that it is not detrimental to the health and well-being of the country\u2019s citizens. This will require a level of adaptability from the Inspectorate to meet these unexpected challenges and still execute its Constitutional imperative.<\/p>\n
The findings of the 2021\/22 National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report (NECER) will also be presented.<\/p>\n
Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:<\/p>\n
Date: 14 November 2022
\nTime: 8h00 for 8h30
\nVenue: Avianto Hotel and Conferencing, Muldersdrift<\/p>\n
To RSVP contact:
\nNoma Bolani on nbolani@dffe.gov.za(link sends e-mail) \/ 066 112 3746<\/p>\n
For media enquiries contact:
\nAlbi Modise
\nCell: 083 490 2871<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note:<\/p>\n
About the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI)<\/p>\n
The Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) or the Green Scorpions, as they are known to the public, are government officials from national, provincial and local government, including the parks authorities, who are responsible for compliance and enforcement activities related to environmental legislation.<\/p>\n
They have a broad legal mandate that covers the green (biodiversity\/protected areas), brown (pollution, waste, impact assessment) and blue (integrated coastal management) sub-sectors. Each of these subsectors in turn, is regulated by different pieces of national legislation, the provisions of which are monitored and enforced by the Green Scorpions.<\/p>\n
The Green Scorpions represent the environmental compliance and enforcement capacity in respect of the National Environment Management Act (NEMA) and the Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMAs). In addition, officials from provinces and local authorities are also designated to carry out compliance and enforcement functions with national legislation.<\/p>\n
Source: Government of South Africa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"