THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARYY 2006: “Undoubtedly, this has been time well spent. The sense one leaves this conference with is that environmental criminals should be on high alert. You must repent or know that you will face the of the law” said J P Louw, Head of Communications at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as he reflected on the outcomes of the Environmental Enforcement Conference.

A significant resolution from the conference concerns the commitment of partners to more effective networks and sharing of expertise in the field of environmental enforcement. Strong emphasis was placed on better cooperative relationship with prosecutors, SAPS investigators, the National Prosecutors Agency and the general need to provide education, training and support for investigators and prosecutors.

“In particular, attention needs to be given to the capacity of the SAPS Forensic Laboratory to analyze environmental samples and evidence, and the SAPS case management system needs to be updated to include all environmental legislation” said Louw as he further contextualized the outcomes.

With emphasis on the need to sensitize the judiciary about the significance of environmental crimes and its impact on society and therefore the public good, the conference further agreed that the following matters required attention:-

Ongoing law review and reform

Sort out implementation difficulties in new legislation
Review and amend older legislation, including NEMA
Building body of environmental law precedents and case law
Data, information and intelligence

Data collection and analysis systems to be developed taking into account that different strategy required for organized crime and other non-compliance
Establish National Enforcement Database
Resources

Develop strategic plan for human resources and skills development in sector (including skills retention)
The conference also reaffirmed its support for the international accepted principle of polluter pays, stating that in this regard, South Africa was in the right direction. “The essence is that, we will not hesitate to take out the rod with companies and individuals who continuously flout the law”, Mr. Louw said echoing the sentiments of the dedicated enforcement delegates.

Mr. Louw concluded by extending an invitation to the public to join Government in its effort to bring about meaningful attitude change in this area. “What came out clear from this conference is the unequivocal need to join hands with our communities and involve them in the fight against environmental crime” he said.