Fine those who undertake illegal mining activities near Kruger National Park – AfriForum

AfriForum, through its legal team, has insisted that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issue directives against the parties responsible for damaging the ecologically sensitive area near the Kruger National Park. The illegal drilling and exploration activities that took place on various Tenbosch, Turfbelt and Tecklenburg Ranch lands, but have since been stopped at AfriForum’s insistence, have already damaged the environment.

The civil rights organisation approached the various Departments this week after it recently came to light that mining activities within the buffer zone of the Kruger National Park were being undertaken illegally. These activities were carried out without the necessary environmental authorisation, mining rights application (MP30/5/1/2/2/10259 MR) or community consent and have already resulted in visible environmental damage and possible pollution.

“AfriForum has confirmed that the drilling has currently stopped and that the equipment has been removed, but the areas concerned have nevertheless been seriously disturbed. Furthermore, no rehabilitation work has yet begun,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager of Environmental Affairs.

“AfriForum therefore demands that the authorities apply the law and fine and oblige the responsible parties to restore the site to prevent further illegal activities in this ecologically sensitive area.”

In the letter, AfriForum demands that the various Departments issue formal directives within 30 days in terms of Section 28 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) to oblige the relevant parties to:

• Immediately cease all unauthorised activities;
• Investigate and evaluate the environmental impact; and
• Initiate full remedial measures and complete them within specific time frames.

AfriForum further warned that if the Departments do not act in a timely manner, the organisation will approach the court to compel them to enforce the relevant legislation.

“This incident highlights the need for accountability. Illegal mining activities in the vicinity of the Kruger National Park are not only a violation of the law but also threaten one of South Africa’s most important nature and biodiversity areas,” says De Klerk.

The civil rights organisation will not seek an urgent interdict at this stage, but any resumption of drilling or construction activities without valid authorisation will necessitate further legal action.