Search Climate Insights Directory

This government notice, published on 30 April 2004 by the Minister of Minerals and Energy, defines the regional divisions of South Africa and its adjacent sea for the purposes of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002.

This document is a fact sheet from the Institute for Security Studies listing the categories of crime and the regional administrative divisions used to track crime statistics in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) for the periods 1994-2002 and financial years 1994/1995 to 2002/2003. It does not provide numerical data or analysis.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Security Studies lists the categories of crime and the regional administrative divisions used to track crime statistics in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) for the periods 1994-2002 and financial years 1994/1995 to 2002/2003.

This research paper examines the industrial participation (IP) mechanisms used to offset the costs of South Africa's Strategic Defence Package (SDP), focusing on the Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) and National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP).

This report from the Institute for Security Studies consists of several articles analyzing critical issues within the South African criminal justice system. It examines the high rates of police killings and the factors contributing to them, the closure of the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit, the dynamics of sexual violence and gender roles in men's prisons, trends in child sex offenders and their custody, the effectiveness of the Independent Complaints Directorate in monitoring police brutality, and the implementation of firearm unfitness hearings under the Arms and Ammunition Act.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the role of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in controlling the northern and eastern borders of South Africa. It details the operational structure of the Regional Joint Task Force: North (RJTFN), the resources available for border patrol, identified illegal crossing points, and trends in firearm seizures and smuggling between August 1999 and October 2000.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between corruption and development, with a specific focus on South Africa. It argues that corruption is a global phenomenon that distorts public spending, undermines efficiency, and discourages investment, thereby hindering economic growth and social equity. The authors contend that while economic liberalisation and democratisation can create opportunities for better governance, they are not panaceas; instead, a multifaceted approach involving institutional reform, legal frameworks, and strong political will is required to eradicate corruption and promote sustainable development.

This document consists of conference papers from March 1997 regarding the transformation of the South African Army and the broader South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It outlines the shift toward civil control, representivity, and a new democratic ethos, while detailing the structural reorganization of the Ministry of Defence and the Army's transition toward a 'force provision' mission to support joint operations in a changing regional security environment.

This report, written by Mathews Phosa, premier of Mpumalanga province, advocates for the integration of black volunteers into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) part-time forces. Using a pilot program in Mpumalanga as a model, Phosa argues that a needs-driven, part-time volunteer system enhances community security, fosters stability, and develops disciplined citizens capable of contributing to the country's economic growth and reconstruction.

The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (and its associated regulations) provides a legal framework for the protection of agricultural resources in South Africa. It establishes mandatory control measures to prevent soil erosion, waterlogging, and salination, regulates the use of veld and the management of veld fires, and creates a classification system for combating weeds and invader plants. The document also outlines the administrative functions of conservation committees and the technical specifications for soil conservation beacons.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa responded to a request from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to develop regulations for the implementation of the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). The DEA declined this request, stating that the AQMP is a collaborative plan rather than a regulation and that existing air quality management tools are sufficient. The document also provides a detailed response to the 'Broken Promises' report, outlining progress in air quality governance, monitoring, and intergovernmental cooperation within the HPA.

This document consists of a series of legal submissions, correspondence, and technical reports related to an appeal against the granting of a mining right to William Patrick Bower (Pty) Ltd (WPB) for a coal mine near Belfast, Mpumalanga. The materials include a hydrogeochemical study on acid mine drainage (AMD) and decant management, a responding statement from BirdLife South Africa (represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights), and an internal appeal from the Escarpment Environment Protection Group (EEPOG). The central disputes concern procedural unfairness in the consultation process, the inadequacy of environmental impact assessments—specifically regarding biodiversity and water quality—and the lack of a sustainable mine closure plan.

This document consists of several annexures related to two proposed coal mining projects in Mpumalanga, South Africa: the Lusthof Colliery and the WPB Colliery. The first part is a draft report from 2012 by Dr. Hugo van Zyl for Black Gold Coal Estates (BGCE) regarding the financial provisioning for a Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Lusthof Colliery, estimating a required provision of approximately R74.42 million to cover construction and 100 years of post-closure operation. The second part contains correspondence and reviews from 2013 to 2015 regarding the WPB Colliery, featuring objections from BirdLife South Africa and technical reviews by Golder Associates. These reviews highlight 'fatal flaws' in the WPB Colliery's water use license application, specifically the lack of adequate acid mine drainage (AMD) assessment, insufficient public participation, and flawed geochemical modelling for pollution mitigation.

This report, prepared by GCS Water and Environment (Pty) Ltd for the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), reviews the Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA) and the resulting license (IWUL) issued to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd for the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine in Mpumalanga. GCS concludes that the specialist studies supporting the license are fundamentally flawed, containing significant data gaps and low-confidence modeling. The review highlights a high risk of irreversible damage to sensitive wetlands and groundwater resources, noting that the IWUL lacks sufficient conditions to mitigate these impacts and fails to authorize critical post-closure water treatment needs.

This report by the Centre for Environmental Rights reviews the Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA) and the resulting Integrated Water Use License (IWUL) for the proposed Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine. It identifies significant gaps in specialist studies regarding groundwater, hydrology, and wetlands, arguing that the IWUL was issued without sufficient information to mitigate environmental impacts. The document also includes a Socio-economic Impact Assessment and a Social and Labour Plan (SLP) detailing employment targets, skills development, and community impacts.

This document is a Social and Labour Plan (SLP) and associated supporting affidavits for the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine, operated by Atha-Africa Ventures. It details the company's commitments to human resource development, gender equity, local socio-economic investment, and closure planning within the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

A letter from Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd (AAV) to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) requesting that a notice of appeal by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) be dismissed. AAV argues that the original mining right granting letter, which the CER appealed, was superseded and rendered null and void by a second granting letter issued by the Minister of Mineral Resources.

A draft written reply from the South African Minister of Water and Sanitation to a National Assembly question regarding pollution in the Olifants River and its impact on the Kruger National Park.

This document is a draft reply from the South African Department of Water and Sanitation to a National Assembly question (No. 4253) regarding the number and qualifications of 'Blue Scorpions' (Environmental Management Inspectors) within its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement unit.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) invited the Centre for Environmental Rights to contribute to a National Hearing on the socio-economic challenges of mining-affected communities in South Africa. Following consultations in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, the SAHRC identified systemic issues including regulatory non-compliance, poor enforcement, and limited community consultation. The Commission requested specific expertise on environmental monitoring, the efficacy of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and the impact of mining on water and ecosystems.