National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10

The National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10 provides a comprehensive overview of environmental law enforcement activities in South Africa from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010. It details the growth of the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), national statistics on criminal and administrative enforcement, and specific case studies regarding industrial pollution and biodiversity crimes, particularly rhino poaching.

• The Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) grew by 18.8% during the 2009/10 financial year, increasing from 903 to 1,073 registered officials. The inspectorate is heavily concentrated in SANParks, which accounts for 782 of the total EMIs, and is predominantly male with a ratio of almost 3:1.
• National enforcement statistics show a 22.9% increase in reported environmental incidents, rising from 4,661 in 2008/9 to 5,739 in 2009/10. While arrests by EMIs declined from 2,614 in 2007/8 to 2,384 in 2009/10, convictions increased by 160.9%, from 258 in 2008/9 to 673 in 2009/10.
• Limpopo recorded the highest number of acquittals (646), convictions (539), and Section 105 plea and sentence agreements (92). Additionally, 87.1% of all nolle prosequi cases nationwide were recorded from Limpopo.
• The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) reported an increase in complaints received via the Environmental Crimes and Incidents hotline, rising from 219 in 2008/9 to 389 in 2009/10. Emergency incidents specifically increased by 72.7%, from 16 to 38.
• Industrial compliance monitoring targeted priority sectors including power generation, cement, refineries, and hazardous waste. Inspections at the Vissershok landfill site in June 2009 identified methane gas levels higher than required and potential groundwater pollution from unlined evaporation dams.
• A follow-up inspection at Highveld Steel and Vanadium in July 2009 revealed that significant emissions were still emanating from operations despite previous commitments. The Department issued pre-notices stating that serious harm was being caused to the environment and the health of employees and residents.
• Rhino poaching has seen a dramatic spike in South Africa, with 122 animals illegally hunted in 2009 and 105 already recorded by June 10, 2010. Kruger National Park and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife have borne the brunt of this, losing 207 and 82 animals respectively since 2000.
• The legislative framework for EMIs was expanded to include a full set of specific environmental management Acts, including the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008 and the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 2009. Maximum penalties for environmental offences were standardized to range between 5 to 10 years imprisonment or fines of R5 million to R10 million.
• A syndicate illegally disposing of Health Care Risk Waste (HCRW) was uncovered in the Welkom area in 2009. This operation involved burying waste, including needles and pharmaceuticals, across four sites in Welkom and one in Klerksdorp, leading to seven arrests.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2010). National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NECER-2009-10.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10. 2010. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NECER-2009-10.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2009-10 |date=2010 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NECER-2009-10.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights2010national, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{National Environmental Compliance \& Enforcement Report 2009-10}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2010}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NECER-2009-10.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }