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This policy brief examines the trends and statistical challenges surrounding violent crime on farms and smallholdings in South Africa, arguing that these crimes correlate with broader national trends in violent robbery and murder.

This report by WWF South Africa explores the business case for introducing electric orchard tractors in South Africa's horticultural sector. It identifies a significant market opportunity to replace small diesel tractors with electric alternatives for low-energy applications, highlighting potential carbon emission savings, socio-economic benefits through local manufacturing, and the financial viability of a lower total cost of ownership despite higher initial capital costs.

This research paper explores the collaboration between Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and national entities in South Africa and Ethiopia regarding environmental and social (E&S) safeguards for infrastructure. It analyzes the transition toward 'country ownership' of these safeguards, highlighting the tension between MDB standards and national sovereignty. Using the Medupi Power Station in South Africa and infrastructure projects in Ethiopia as case studies, the paper identifies gaps in capacity building and accountability. It recommends the creation of country-specific E&S plans, enhanced regional capacity building based on the Asian Development Bank model, and a stronger role for national Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to ensure sustainable infrastructure development.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and groundWork, submitted a letter to the IPP Office of the Department of Energy on 15 September 2017. The letter provides updates on legal and environmental challenges facing three proposed coal-fired power stations: Thabametsi, Khanyisa, and KiPower. The CER argues that these projects fail to meet the legal qualification criteria for financial close or preferred bidder status due to missing climate change impact assessments (CCIA) and pending disputes over environmental and water licenses.

This case study by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the institutional collapse of the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in South Africa. It argues that the municipality has entered a state of 'perpetual instability' driven by cyclical factionalism within the African National Congress (ANC) at local, regional, and provincial levels. The report details how political battles over the appointment of the Municipal Manager (MM) led to administrative rupture, the use of 'lawfare' to target rivals, and a total shutdown of services in 2014, illustrating a broader trend of institutional fragility within the South African state.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the potential and progress of renewable energy (RE) in South Africa, focusing on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) and the challenges posed by the state utility Eskom's dominance and the country's historical dependence on coal.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted comments to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding the Final Scope of Work Report (FSR) for the Thabametsi coal-fired power station. The CER argues that the FSR is inadequate, particularly concerning the Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA), and requests that the DEA either reject the report or require significant amendments to align it with the South African Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

South Africa's 2nd Biennial Update Report (BUR-2) provides a comprehensive overview of the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2000 to 2012, its mitigation strategies, and the financial and technical support received to transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy by 2030.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted these written submissions to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in August 2016. The document outlines systemic failures in the environmental governance of the South African mining sector, detailing how poor monitoring, inadequate enforcement, and flawed impact assessment processes lead to the violation of environmental rights in mining-affected communities. It provides evidence of water pollution, ecosystem destruction, and severe health impacts, while recommending a transfer of regulatory authority from the Department of Mineral Resources to environmental authorities.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted comments on the Background Information Document (BID) for the proposed Mokolo Crocodile (West) Water Augmentation Project Phase 2 (MCWAP-2). The submission expresses significant reservations regarding the project's sustainability and feasibility, citing climate change and water scarcity, and requests further clarity on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and public consultation.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) examines the challenges of measuring and understanding public violence in South Africa. It critiques existing data sources, such as the South African Police Service (SAPS) IRIS system, and presents preliminary findings from the ISS's own Public Violence Monitoring project (2013-2015). The paper explores the drivers of collective violence, including socio-economic inequality and government unresponsiveness, and analyzes the roles of local government, community leadership, and the police in escalating or mitigating public disorder.

WWF South Africa's 2016 report 'Water: Facts and Futures' details the critical state of the country's water security. It highlights that while only 8% of land generates 50% of river flow, these Water Source Areas are under-protected. The report identifies severe threats from invasive alien plants, failing engineered infrastructure (with 37% urban water loss), and widespread pollution from sewage and mining. It calls for a 'Water and Sanitation Revolution' focusing on nature-based solutions, groundwater management, and decentralized service delivery to ensure equitable access to safe water.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several non-governmental and community organisations, submitted a formal request to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs on 5 April 2016. The letter urges the strengthening and immediate publication of draft regulations concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reporting, the declaration of GHGs as priority pollutants, and pollution prevention plans, arguing that these are essential for South Africa to meet its commitments under its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and the Paris Agreement.

The National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report 2015/16, published by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), provides a comprehensive overview of environmental law enforcement activities in South Africa. It details the capacity of the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), national compliance statistics, provincial performance, and specific case studies regarding industrial pollution and biodiversity crimes, particularly rhino poaching.

This policy briefing assesses the role and implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within South Africa's mining industry. It argues that while mining companies possess significant financial capacity to support socio-economic development, their efforts are often hindered by a lack of coordination with government plans, poor monitoring, and a tendency to treat CSR as ad hoc charitable donations rather than integrated strategic investments.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the infrastructure and effectiveness of foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion in South Africa. It examines the decentralised system of provincial investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and their relationship with the national agency, Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA). The author argues for increased strategic oversight by TISA to reduce inter-provincial competition and improve the quality and sustainability of FDI inflows, particularly in the context of the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill of 2013.

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).

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.