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This document is a formal notice of appeal filed on 30 March 2015 by eight environmental organisations, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights, against the granting of mining right MP30/5/1/2/2/1/0069MR to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd (AAV). The appeal seeks to set aside the right and suspend its operation, arguing that the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine is located in the Mabola Protected Environment and the Wakkerstroom Wetlands Area, regions of irreplaceable biodiversity and critical hydrological importance.

This expert panel report, compiled by Emross Consulting Pty. Ltd. for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), evaluates the legality and environmental implications of mining within protected environments in Mpumalanga Province, focusing specifically on the proposed Yzermyn coal mine in the Mabola Protected Environment (MPE). The report concludes that the MPE's proclamation was well-founded due to its high biodiversity and hydrological value, and recommends against allowing mining in the area.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) sent an urgent letter to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) on 23 February 2015, requesting confirmation and documentation regarding a mining right allegedly granted to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd (AAV) within the Mabola Protected Environment.

A joint media statement by a civil society coalition criticizing Minister of Mineral Resources Ngoako Ramatlhodi for ignoring mining-affected communities and prioritizing corporate interests over public participation and justice in the development of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).

The 2015 Shadow Report by the Promotion of Access to Information Civil Society Network (PAIA CSN) evaluates the implementation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) in South Africa between 1 August 2014 and 31 July 2015. The report finds that while the right to access information is constitutionally enshrined, public bodies frequently undermine this right through non-compliance with statutory timeframes, failure to provide legitimate grounds for refusal, and poor record-keeping. The report highlights a contrast between the relatively better compliance of private bodies and the systemic failures of various state departments, while advocating for the urgent appointment of an independent Information Regulator to provide an alternative to costly litigation.

The 2015 SAIIA Sasol Environmental Sustainability Project (ESP) is an educational competition for South African Grade 10-12 learners designed to build knowledge of environmental sustainability through research, presentations, and youth negotiations.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the extent and nature of domestic violence in South Africa and the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 (DVA). It highlights the discrepancy between official police statistics and community-based surveys, the prevalence of intimate partner violence and femicide, and the systemic failures within the police and court systems to protect victims.

The National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2013/14 provides a comprehensive overview of the activities of South Africa's Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI). It details statistics on criminal and administrative enforcement, compliance monitoring across 'brown' (pollution/waste) and 'green' (biodiversity) sectors, and specific case studies involving industrial facilities and wildlife crime, particularly rhino poaching.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the persistence of political killings in post-apartheid South Africa, noting a high concentration of these incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and a low rate of criminal convictions.

This document consists of a formal submission by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and an accompanying independent peer review by Carin Bosman Sustainable Solutions (CBSS). It critiques the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) Report prepared by Jones and Wagner for KiPower's proposed 600 MW coal-fired power station in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The CER and CBSS conclude that the IWULA is 'Inadequate' due to significant procedural and substantive failures, including the absence of a practical Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (IWWMP) Action Plan and a failure to adequately assess impacts on groundwater and other water users.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the integrity of South Africa's 2014 national and provincial elections. It examines the performance of the Electoral Commission (IEC), instances of political violence and intimidation, the use of state resources for campaigning, and the role of media coverage in informing voters.

This 2014 report by WWF South Africa evaluates the adherence of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) to the 2013 Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines (MBG) within the Enkangala Grasslands. The study found that approximately 30% of sampled applications failed to adhere to key MBG principles, with particularly low adherence to best practice EIA standards. The report highlights a critical need for the formal registration and regulation of EAPs through EAPASA to ensure objectivity, competence, and the protection of South Africa's vital water-producing grasslands from unsustainable mining.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates South Africa's third African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action (NPoA) implementation report (SAIR3), launched in January 2014. While the author notes significant improvements in the quality, honesty, and consultative nature of the reporting compared to previous efforts, the briefing concludes that the APRM remains largely a foreign policy tool with minimal domestic impact due to a lack of integration into national planning and persistent governance challenges.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes potential electoral outcomes and political scenarios for South Africa for the period 2014 to 2029. It explores four primary pathways—'Bafana Bafana', 'The Future is ANC', 'The Rise of Multiparty Democracy', and 'A Nation Divided'—evaluating how factors such as ANC leadership, trade union splits (specifically NUMSA and COSATU), and youth voter apathy influence economic growth and poverty levels.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several community and environmental groups, submitted a formal reply on 24 March 2014 challenging Eskom's applications for postponement from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The CER disputes Eskom's claims that its power stations have a marginal impact on air quality and health, arguing that Eskom's Atmospheric Impact Reports (AIRs) are anecdotal, use insufficient modeling domains, and fail to quantify the health risks associated with secondary PM2.5 formation and mercury emissions.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, representing various community and environmental groups, submitted formal objections on 14 February 2014 against Eskom's application to vary the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for the Duvha Power Station. The objections center on the potential for increased particulate matter (PM) emissions, flawed environmental modelling, and the contradiction of the Highveld Priority Area's air quality goals.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several community and environmental groups, submitted a response to the Nkangala District Municipality opposing Eskom's application to vary the atmospheric emission licence for the Kriel Power Station. The CER argues that the variation would permit increased emissions of particulate matter (PM10) and mercury, leading to significant public health risks and economic costs, while challenging Eskom's dispersion modelling and cost calculations for abatement technology.

This 2014 Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape analyzes the energy efficiency sector in South Africa, focusing on standards, legislation, financial incentives, and specific markets including solar water heaters, energy-saving lighting, and embedded generation.

The National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report 2014-15 provides a comprehensive overview of the activities of South Africa's Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), known as the 'Green Scorpions'. The report details the growth of EMI capacity, national compliance and enforcement statistics, legislative developments, and specific operational outcomes across the 'green' (biodiversity), 'brown' (pollution and waste), and 'blue' (marine and coastal) sectors. It highlights a significant increase in the number of designated inspectors and a focus on high-risk areas such as rhino poaching and industrial pollution.

The 2014 Blue Drop Report evaluates the performance of 1,036 drinking water supply systems across South Africa's Water Services Authorities (WSAs) for the 2013 calendar year. While microbiological compliance is high, the national average Blue Drop score declined from 87.6% in 2012 to 79.6% in 2014, and the number of systems achieving Blue Drop certification dropped from 98 to 44. The report highlights critical needs for improvement in chemical compliance, water use efficiency, and asset management across various provinces.