Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Department of Environmental Affairs is responsible for facilitation and co-ordination within environmental projects/interventions implemented by the municipalities and does not take the lead in as far as the implementation of local government incentive programmes for residents is concerned.

Notwithstanding this role, it is noted that the above is an innovative proposal that will be considered in consultation with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

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Reply:

No. Existing multilateral agreements are being used to address poaching and illegal trade in wildlife, as well as ensuring that economic benefits can be derived from the efficient management of wildlife and ecosystems.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is a United Nations convention that has, as objectives, the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. Furthermore, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) provides for sustainable utilisation, and is aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. South Africa is a Party to these conventions, and through collaboration with other Parties, issues of concern, including poaching, is being addressed, while sustainable utilisation is promoted.

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Reply:

1. The Department of Environmental Affairs does not condone hunting practices (including driven hunts) which are not conducted in a responsible manner, that is, within the parameters of applicable legislation, and in a manner which protects and promotes the sustainable utilisation of wildlife.

2. It was found during a recent driven hunt in Limpopo, that measures had been implemented to sufficiently monitor the hunt at all times, to ensure that the number of wounded animals were minimised and to ensure that wounded animals were tracked and put down as quickly as possible. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Affairs is in a process of initiating an assessment of the scope of this method of hunting in South Africa in order to obtain a proper understanding of its impact on biodiversity. The need for legislative review to ban, or regulate this method of hunting, either through regulations, norms and standards or any other mechanism will require thorough consideration arising from an assessment of the scope on this method as alluded to above.

(3)

(a) The Department of Environmental Affairs received complaints from a range of parties and non-governmental organisations in addition to numerous media queries.

(b) (i) The complaints received by the department emanated from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) alert/media release and the complainants therefore based their concerns on the manner in which this hunting practice was described by the NSPCA as part of their scope of work which deals with the animal welfare issues.

(ii) The Department of Environmental Affairs sent a national Environmental Management Inspector to attend and monitor the hunt during its remaining duration. No complaints have been received subsequent to the hunt when our inspector was present.

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Reply:

 

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:

The Department of Environmental Affairs is aware of the problems faced by the Oyster Bay Community regarding dune encroachment onto properties and infrastructure.

a)  An application for an environmental authorisation for the proposed Slang River bank erosion stabilisation revetment, as well as management of dune sand encroachment on various ervens, including Brander Street in Oyster, Eastern Cape was submitted by Kouga Local Municipality and approved on 9 May 2015 by the competent authority being the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

b)  The Department of Environmental Affairs is in the process of undertaking a situational analysis report which will provide guidance on the best rehabilitation mechanism or practices.

c)  The Department has scheduled a stakeholder’s consultation meeting with all interested and affected parties during the month of October and November 2015 in order to seek short- and long-term solutions.

END

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:

1) In July 2015, the Minister published a gazette which gave published notice of her intention, in terms of section 28(1) read with section 28(5) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), to require the Paper and Packaging Industry, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry and Lighting Industry to prepare and submit their industry waste management plans. The notice invited members of the public to submit comments within thirty (30) days. Once all the comments have been considered, the Minister will then publish a
section 28(1) notice which will require the 3 sectors to submit the plans.

2) The Minister has not yet published a section 28(1) notice requiring the sectors to submit an industry waste management plan. Failure to comply with an approved plan is an offence.

 

 

END

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:

1. The Department is the competent authority for the Basel Convention which controls the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal. The Department ensures that the Basel Convention is complied with by implementing the control system. Developed countries are not allowed to export wastes to developing countries for disposal purposes. Information Technology Association of Canada controls the imports of second-hand goods through the Second-hand Goods Act – by providing conditions for imports of second-hand goods, including electrical and electronic goods, which then ensures that no used goods are imported into the country under the guise of donations.

​2. (a and b)

The Department provides education and awareness training to provinces and municipalities on the legislation and policies developed, which includes the Waste Act; and emphasis is always on prevention for the protection of the environment and health. The Waste Act classifies Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) as hazardous waste. Other regulations that outlines specific measures related to WEEE include the National Waste Information Regulations and Waste Classification and Management Regulations. This information is made available to the public. The Department also envisages that there will be a waste-stream specific education and awareness training programme, linked to the industry waste management plans, which is expected to be provided by the WEEE sector. The programme should provide effective communication that informs EEE consumers about the potential dangers of improper, and the potential value of proper e-Waste treatment and disposal. These campaigns will have to be of a general public nature using various media.

END

Reply:

 THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:

(1) Since 01 January 2009 to 10 September 2015, approximately 2850 applications for Environmental Authorisation were received by the department.

(2) (a) Seven applications have been refused authorisation, and

     (b) 1651 have been granted authrorisation. The remainder may have lapsed, withdrawn or are currently being processed.

(3) Since 01 January 2009

     (a) 301 appeals against the issuance of Environmental Authorisations were lodged.

     (b) Of those 301 appeals, 20 were upheld, 29 were varied and 38 were withdrawn following settlements reached between the      parties. The rest of the appeals were dismissed.

 

END

Reply:

I wish to refer the Honourable Member to the unqualified Annual Report (2014/2015) and audited clean Financial Statements of my department that were tabled in Parliament on 28 August 2015 and published in the ATC dated 28 August 2015, wherein travel costs are reflected under the item ‘Travel and Subsistence’.

In regard to accommodation, I wish to remind the Honourable Member that accommodation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in Cape Town and Gauteng is provided through the Department of Public Works.

 

END

Reply:

 

 

(1) & (2) The information requested by the Honourable member is provided in the 2014/15 annual report of the Department which has already been tabled in Parliament on 28 August 2015.

 

 

END

Reply:

 

1.     Yes, The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is aware of international trade in tiger and tiger products from South Africa. The following table, obtained from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Trade Database (http://trade.cites.org) reflects the exports from South Africa from 2004 till 2014:

Taxon	Term	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Panthera tigris	bodies					1			1	1
Panthera tigris	claws								1
Panthera tigris	live	8	18	5	4	11	25	32	29	33	21	4
Panthera tigris	skins		1	1	1			2	2	2
Panthera tigris	skulls		1							1
Panthera tigris	trophies	4		2			6	3	4	3	1
Panthera tigris altaica	live						4			2
Panthera tigris altaica	trophies						1

It is clear from the above that the majority of trade is in live specimens. Trade in tiger specimens is regulated in terms of the CITES Regulations, promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004). It should be noted that due to the fact that tiger is listed in CITES Appendix I, import permits are issued by importing countries before an export permit can be issued by South Africa. The import permit must specify the purpose of the transaction and because commercial trade is not allowed in Appendix I specimens, the international trade authorised in terms CITES will be for non-commercial purposes only and this will be reflected on both the import and export permits. Compliance with the CITES Regulations and requirements are monitored by the Environmental Management Inspectors, who are responsible for the inspection of consignments and the endorsement of permits prior to export.

2.      The CITES Regulations, 2010 are implemented by all provinces as well as the Department of Environmental Affairs and provides a uniform regulatory framework to implement and enforce the provisions of the Convention. In terms of these regulations a captive breeding facility or a person who trades internationally in CITES Appendix I species (tiger) must be registered with the relevant provincial CITES Management Authority.

The Department identified the need to strengthen regulatory provisions relating to the activities involving CITES Appendix I listed specimens that are imported to South Africa and in this regard the following provisions have been included in the draft Threatened or Protected Species Regulations that was published for public participation in terms of Section 100 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004) on 31 March 2015:

Specific circumstances relating to the prohibition to possess and trade in listed protected species that are also included in Appendix I of CITES

74. (1) A person may not possess—

     (a) an imported specimen of a listed protected species that is also included in Appendix 1 of CITES; or

     (b) The off-spring of a specimen contemplated in paragraph (a);

     unless such person is authorized by a permit issued in accordance with these Regulations to possess such imported            specimen or the off-spring of such imported specimen.

(2) A person may not sell or donate an imported specimen contemplated in subregulation (1)(a), unless—

(a) such imported specimen originates from a commercial captive breeding facility that has been registered with the CITES Secretariat; and

(b) the selling or donation of such specimen is authorized by a permit issued in accordance with these Regulations.

(3)   (a) The regulatory provisions referred to above address the possession of tiger specimens as well as the captive breeding of tiger.

(b)    Illegal activities should be reported to the Department through the Hotline number: 0800 205 005. Concerns relating to the Transvaal Nature Conservation Ordinance No 12 of 1983 should be addressed to the relevant provincial legislature.

 

 

 

 

END

Reply:

 

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(a) & (b) The question should be routed to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for a response.

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Reply:

(1) The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is a tool to support quality assurance of ambient monitoring stations in South Africa. The department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SANAS with the view to ensuring that emission monitoring measurements from all point sources and all ambient monitoring stations in the country are accredited in terms of ISO 17025.

The accreditation process entails the development of accreditation procedures such as guidelines, assessment protocols, as well as the capability of technical staff responsible for running the monitoring stations and associated equipment. The department’s officials are members of the Ambient and Emissions Monitoring SANAS Technical Committee (STC), a body that provides technical advice to the SANAS Chief Executive Officer on various matters regarding ambient and emission monitoring accreditation.

(2) The department has submitted an application to SANAS for ISO 17025 accreditation for its three Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area and is currently awaiting the completion of the assessment of these stations by SANAS.

In the meantime, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is in the processes of applying for SANAS accreditation for the monitoring stations in other Priority Areas (Vaal Triangle and Highveld) which it (SAWS) is managing on behalf of the department.

(3) It is envisaged that accreditation will be granted for all the stations in Waterberg, Highveld and Vaal Triangle networks by the end of 2015/16 financial year.

(4) With respect to other ambient monitoring networks nationwide, the department is providing technical support towards improved station and data management to all government-owned networks with the view to getting these networks to ultimately achieve SANAS accreditation into the future. To this end the department is working on the development of quality assurance (QA) systems to assist these government networks. These QA systems will form part of the Norms and Standards for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and the standards are under development in the department.

Currently the City of Cape Town is ISO 17025 accredited for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). There is a lack of expertise and resources at municipal level; hence the management of these stations is always outsourced to service providers. Furthermore, there are only few municipalities managing their stations in-house. The department is currently conducting a comprehensive Ambient Air Quality Monitoring course across all provinces (currently five provinces have been trained and those are; the Gauteng Province; the KwaZulu-Natal Province; the Northwest Province; the Northern Cape Province and the Free State Province).

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Reply:

(a) Red tape is considered to be an excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that are considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevent decision-making.

(b) (i) (aa) (aaa) The Department is always mindful of the impact of unnecessary bureaucracy on the economy and the service delivery to the public. The Department, on a continuous basis, reconsider processes and make them more efficient and effective in its day to day operations. The socio-economic impact assessments that government needs to conduct as part of the process when new policies and legislation are developed will also ensure that unnecessary red tape is avoided.

(bb) (aaa) The Department developed norms and standards to replace the requirement to apply for licenses for certain activities. It also develops other environmental management instruments that will have the effect that the environmental impact assessment process is shortened, be more cost effective, that fewer studies would be required and that decision-making would be based on better and standardised information. The setting of minimum information requirements for certain applications will ensure that the applicant will know up-front what information the competent authority will need to make a decision, and it would be the same whether the competent authority is the national Department or provincial Department. The thresholds for activities listed under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, are periodically reconsidered as information on their impacts on the environment becomes known.

(bbb) The Department believes that the entities also have their own systems for addressing any red tapes that might be there.

(ii) (aa) (aaa) The Department is currently reviewing its business processes to ensure that the processes are effective and that delays are avoided or minimized. The reviewing and mapping processes identify bottlenecks, which can then be eliminated. Existing mapped processes are monitored and improved.

(bb) (aaa) The Department introduced electronic systems, such as National Environmental Authorisation System, Livelink Opentext and Waste information system; and it is busy developing an electronic licensing system called Integrated Permit Management System that will be rolled out in the near future. The Department is also developing a screening tool that would upfront identify the feasibility of a particular project for which an environmental authorization is applied.

(bbb) South African Weather Service implemented the National Air Quality Information System Phase I.

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Reply:

1. The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

2. Not applicable.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the above-mentioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) Not applicable

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

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Reply:

1.  The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

2.  Not applicable

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Reply:

Hammerhead and Broadnose Sevengill sharks are commercially exploited by fishers. The latter species is targeted by linefishers and are a major source of income for fishing villages in the Western Cape. This species is also targeted by the demersal longline fishery and, therefore, they have a commercial value and need sustainable management rather than prohibiting all catches.

In addition, not all the species/groups listed in the question have “dwindling numbers”. According to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Bather Protection Programme catch rates, there is evidence for declines of Spotted Raggedtooth sharks, Bull sharks and Scalloped and Great Hammerhead sharks, but increases in Tiger sharks and Smooth Hammerheads. Other studies indicate that for the east coast of South Africa the Spotted Raggedtooth shark population is stable, but generally for the species mentioned there is a lack of suitable data for assessing trends outside of KZN.

Also it should be noted that Hammerhead sharks are now CITES listed, which affects international trade in these species but not local trade. Since 2011, retention of hammerhead sharks by the pelagic longline fishery has been prohibited in the Cape. The demersal longline fishery is prohibited from targeting Bull sharks.

Furthermore, for the first time, marine species are being included in the national Threatened or Protected (ToPS) list. The Tiger shark, Raggedtooth shark and the Scalloped Hammerhead and Great Hammerhead sharks are all among the marine species that are listed on the draft ToPS list that went out for public comment in March 2015.

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Reply:

1. The Minister requested a meeting with organisations which are involved in lion hunting in South Africa in response to mounting public concern around captive breeding of lion and, in particular, to address claims of allegedly widespread so-called canned hunting of lion in South Africa. This meeting was then convened on 14 July 2015.

The Department identified organisations in attendance through the National Wildlife Forum, which is a forum established by the Minister in 2005 to address policy, permitting and legislation issues that affect the wildlife sector.

2. No, The Minister still intends to invite civil society, non-governmental organisations and other interested members of the public to discuss the allegedly widespread so-called canned hunting of lion in South Africa.

The following organisations which were directly affected were invited:

• Professional Hunters Association of South Africa
• South African Predators Association
• Wildlife Ranching South Africa
• National Shooting Association
• Wildlife Translocation Association
• The National Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa
• South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

 

The following organisations attended the meeting:

• Professional Hunters Association of South Africa
• South African Predators Association
• The National Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa
• South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
• Provincial Conservation Authorities
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

3. The Minister of Environmental Affairs from time to time receives requests to meet. And she also requests meetings with various stakeholders on a range of issues within the Department’s mandate; ranging from biodiversity and conservation, air quality, climate change, to general matters around environmental protection. All such meetings and their respective agendas are diarised.

The meeting with stakeholders in the hunting industry forms part of regular interaction between the Minister and industry. The Department’s Chief Directorate: Communications regularly releases statements on such meetings, which may be found on the Department’s website.

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Reply:

The Blacktip Shark, Bronze Whaler Shark and Dusky Shark are commercially exploited species in South Africa and are caught in a permitted shark fishery. The management of fishing effort and fishing quotas is a function of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), which undertakes research in support of shark fishery management. DAFF are best suited to provide additional detail on the management objectives for these species.

.

South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are currently used to provide additional protection to exploited fish species, including sharks, either by prohibiting all exploitation of marine resources or restricting some exploitation activities. MPAs cannot be regarded as a primary fishery management tool as the current network covers less than 1% of South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone and MPAs are unevenly distributed between the different eco-regions. Additional MPAs are currently being considered through the Operation Phakisa processes and these will contribute to overall increase in the protection of marine biodiversity.

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Reply:

The Department of Environmental Affairs does not undertake research in order to set sustainable quotas for sharks but does undertake some research on specific aspects of shark ecology which includes tagging sharks to describe the extent of the distribution ranges.

The estimated annual catches of these species as documented by research of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are given as: Blacktip 1-10 tons, Dusky 11-100 tons, Bronze Whaler 101-200 tons. The sum of the upper ranges of these estimates is 310 tons, short of 500 tons. The setting of fishing quotas is the function of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which undertakes research in support of shark fishery management.

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Reply:

(a) and (b) The Department of Environmental Affairs gives such notices and/or directives only in instances where there is non-compliance with specific Environmental Acts and EIA regulation.

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Reply:

 

(a) Yes

(aa)

(i) R580 597,82

(ii) Ms MP Mbengashe, Chief Director

(iii) The parties agreed to terminate the contract.

iSimangaliso

(b) No

(bb)

(i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

South African Weather Service

(b) No

(bb)

(i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

South African National Parks

(b) No

(bb)

(i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

South African National Biodiversity Institute

(b) No

(bb)

(i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

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Reply:

 

Yes

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The environment sector is mandated to ensure environmental sustainability in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996); the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA), as amended; as well as other Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMAs). The right to a safe and healthy environment which is not dangerous to human life, which is enshrined in the Constitution, makes it imperative that there should be a balance between addressing the current development needs and protecting the natural environment. The principles set out in Chapter 1 of the Constitution lay a solid foundation on how environmental justice could be realised and participation in environmental governance ensured. The NEMA and all its SEMAs are all premised on these principles, and embedded in them are specific provisions, tools, systems and structures to ensure that the environmental right is realised and the above principles are adhered to.

In response to these legislative imperatives, the environmental sector (National and Provincial Departments of Environmental Affairs) in consultation with other stakeholders (South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and municipalities developed a five year Local Government Support Strategy for the Environment Sector, 2014-2019. In drafting the strategy, a survey was conducted to determine the level of capacity of municipalities to deal with environmental management and governance. The questionnaire specifically sought to determine the level of compliance by all 278 municipalities with NEMA and SEMAs. Questionnaires were differentiated in terms of municipal geographic location (inland/coastal) and environmental functions each municipality is expected to perform. The scores (converted into percentages) were then used to divide municipalities into three categories as follows: 0-29% = Establishment Phase, 30-59% = Consolidation Phase,
60% upwards = Sustainability Phase. The results of the survey were as follows:

• Local Municipalities (LMs): 51% establishment phase, 41% consolidation phase, 8% sustainability phase
• District Municipalities (DMs): 32% establishment phase, 48% consolidation phase, 20% sustainability phase
• Metropolitan Municipalities (Metros): 0% establishment phase, 11% consolidation phase, 89% sustainability phase

Based on these findings, the implementation plan was developed to address challenges identified. In 2014/15, specific focus was given to the establishment and formalisation of environmental governance structures within municipalities to provide a platform of engagement with all citizens on environmental governance structures. These structures were successfully established and they are now operational. The performance of these structures is monitored through the 2015/16 Implementation Plan, and reports are provided to the relevant Intergovernmental Structures. Below is an outline of specific interventions for key thematic areas i.e. Air Quality and Climate Change; Waste Management.

1. AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Prior to the advent of democracy, little was known about the quality of ambient air that the majority of the citizens of South Africa were breathing, as well as the potential health impact of that quality of air. However, since the dawn of democracy a number of measures have been put into motion to address this challenge. The use of coal and other energy sources that result in air pollution poses a major threat to citizens enjoying their full rights as set out in section 24(a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Since the promulgation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act No. 39 of 2004) and the subsequent development of its National Framework for Air Quality Management in South Africa, the Department has facilitated, in partnership with the different spheres of government; the initiation of ambient air quality monitoring programmes.

The main objectives for monitoring are to provide information fundamental to decision-making; identifying air pollution that is non-compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); and defining intervention strategies to evaluate the efficacy of air quality management strategies. Ambient air quality monitoring is also being used to identify areas in need of restoration and their prioritisation, such as in the national air quality priority areas of Vaal Triangle, Highveld and Waterberg-Bojanala. Currently, there are close to 85 government owned ambient air quality monitoring stations across the country. The stations monitor a range of criteria pollutants, including ozone (O3), particulate matter (both PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (nitrogen dioxide NO2, and nitric acid NO), lead (Pb), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and the relevant meteorological parameters.

The observations from the ambient air quality monitoring networks have informed the development of air quality management plans (AQMPs) by all spheres of government, in accordance with the air quality management challenges faced. Municipalities, for example, are required to have these AQMPs incorporated in their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). This requirement elevates air quality issues in the planning processes of each of the municipalities.

The Department has developed priority area AQMPs, and has allocated specific funding for the implementation of these plans. In addition, and as part of the implementation of these plans, the Department has established Implementation Task Teams (ITTs) and Multi-Stakeholder Reference Group (MSRGs). These structures, amongst other things, facilitate the participation of communities in tackling air quality challenges facing them. There has been an increase in the participation of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in these areas, and the Department acknowledges that awareness is key in addressing air quality issues in these areas.

The Department is also in the final stages of developing the Strategy to Address Pollution in Dense, Low Income Communities. The objectives of this strategy are:

• to establish a forum that will ensure that the interventions that address air pollution in dense low-income communities are carried out in a coordinated manner, with integration of policies and interventions from various departments/institutions;
• to facilitate, through the forum, the implementation of interventions within air pollution priority areas in order to ensure the air that is not harmful to health and wellbeing;
• to plan and co-ordinate the implementation of future interventions to address the problem; and
• to monitor and report progress annually to the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

The strategy offers a great opportunity for all the identified role players to work together and improve on the gains made thus far in tackling air quality challenges that are faced by the citizens of the Republic.

2.  WASTE MANAGEMENT

Government through Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) undertakes surveys at different intervals to establish trends in many different aspects, including provision of services. The Department works closely with Stats SA in relation to monitoring waste service in the country.

Waste services seem to be low in rural areas. However, we have discovered that this could be due to lack of understanding of the different service levels for waste services. The National Waste Collection Standards prescribe different service levels for different geographic areas. The Department is therefore currently capacitating municipalities on these collection standards. Municipalities are in turn required to educate their communities to ensure accurate reporting.

The Department also developed a number of waste management tools/measures to protect the environment and human health of all South African citizens by making sure that impact is managed appropriately.

These include:

• Waste Management and Classification Regulations; Norms and Standards for Assessment of Waste for Disposal; and Norms and Standards for Assessment of Landfill for waste disposal – which regulates the management classification of wastes in a manner that supports and implements the provisions of the Waste Act and prescribes the requirements and timeframes for management of certain wastes, among others.
• Draft Healthcare Risk Waste Management Regulations – which sets minimum requirements for management of waste from healthcare facilities, from cradle to grave.
• Licenses to ensure that facilities are operated in compliance with environmental legislation, ensuring that impacts are managed to protect the environment and human health.

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Reply:

 

(1)

(a)(i) Research on environmental impacts of plastic shopping bags:

The department undertook a study to determine the impact of the Plastic Regulations in 2007. The impact of plastics on the environment is well documented through various institutions and as such the department does not have to undertake additional research but will rather use the already existing information.

(a)(ii) Research on potentially banning shopping bags:

The department is currently undertaking a study to determine possible management options for plastic waste in the country as part of the finalisation of the plastics and packaging industry waste management plan which will include alternative ways of managing plastics bags. With new and emerging technologies there are other innovative ways of managing plastic with the potential to create jobs. Only when all other options have been explored would we then consider the option of banning plastic bags.

(b)(i) Investigation into environmental impacts of shopping bags:

See (a)(i) above

(b)(ii) Investigation into potentially banning the use of plastic bags:

See (a)(ii) above.

(2) The department may consider banning plastics bags as an option within the comprehensive assessment of the management of plastic waste in South Africa. It will include this option in the finalisation of the Industry Waste Management Plan (IndWMP) for Plastics, Paper and Packaging. This IndWMP will facilitate and promote the recycling sector for this waste stream including plastic bags which will also determine the most appropriate management option for this waste stream.

 

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