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Mail & Guardian

Green Scorpions

latest news & developments
Wastewater: An overflowing drain flowing in a town in Mpumalanga. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
BLUE SCORPIONS

Mpumalanga municipality slapped with record R650m penalty for years of raw sewage spills

In a landmark ruling, the Emalahleni local municipality was ordered to fund major repairs after pleading guilty to persistent sewage pollution that contaminated rivers feeding…

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Political interference, corruption, skills shortages, supply chain inefficiencies and red tape are among the causes of the eThekwini municipality’s water and sanitation woes that have led to a breakdown of the water treatment infrastructure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
COLESBERG REGIONAL COURT

Northern Cape municipality slapped with R10m fine for sewage pollution

Umsobomvu municipality pleads guilty, admits to receiving complaints from as far back as 2017

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
A parliamentary committee received a briefing on Wednesday about how a sophisticated criminal syndicate pulled off a brazen heist at the headquarters of the North West Parks and Tourism Board, stealing 51 rhino horns
ARMANDO AMOSSE CHINGO

Fired Ezemvelo field ranger arrested for rhino horn trafficking

Man who was dismissed from his job at a top KZN park for links to poaching is held by police in Gauteng

  • Simon Bloch
3 min read
Recalcitrant: The Century Property Developments company has encroached on a demarcated wetland and its buffer zone in Fourways in its construction of a luxury clubhouse and pool in the Helderfontein Estate.
CENTURY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS

Green Scorpions sting luxury property developer

Century Property Developments has been ordered to halt all construction work at its upmarket estate in Fourways in Gauteng

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
The toxic air pollution on the Mpumalanga Highveld is a 50-year-old problem that cannot “miraculously” be fixed overnight, argued the advocate for Barbara Creecy, the minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
BARBARA CREECY

Right to clean air ‘progressively realisable’ in polluted Mpumalanga Highveld, court hears

State argues dirty air can’t be ‘miraculously’ fixed overnight in final day of proceedings in landmark Deadly Air case

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
CHOLERA

Gauteng’s most vital resource irreparably damaged – SAHRC

Commission’s long-awaited report into Vaal sewage crisis finds widespread non-compliance by the government

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
The Green Scorpions continue to focus on high risk species such as rhinos, elephants, pangolins and cycads “while still ensuring other species receive protection from the inspectorate”.
BYUNGUSU KIM

Sharp sting of the Green Scorpions

Crime busters secure a 97% conviction rate and register more criminal dockets for range of crimes

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Development of the R15 billion Westown “green city” in Shongweni, west of Durban, is moving swiftly ahead with the construction of a high street retail town square and a R730 million upgrade to roads and infrastructure now well underway.
BARBARA CREECY

Shongweni stink: EnviroServ bosses back in court

Managers charged over landfill emissions want charges set aside

  • Paddy Harper
2 min read
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
AIR POLLUTION

Dirty listed companies hide the truth

Research into some of the JSE’s biggest companies finds them in regular breach of environmental legislation and failing to disclose this to investors.

  • Sipho Kings
5 min read
An Australian scientist has said he discovered how to turn HIV against itself to stop it progressing to Aids.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Firm fed toxic waste to pigs, claims government

A supplier to the police forensic laboratories faces charges of dumping dangerous chemicals.

  • Mkhululi Ndamase
5 min read
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Too few staff to stop environmental crimes

Low staff levels are hampering the monitoring and enforcement capabilities of the various environmental departments.

  • Sipho Kings
4 min read
Farmer gets R1m fine
GREEN SCORPIONS

Farmer gets R1m fine, 8 years in jail for rhino poaching

A Limpopo farmer has been given an eight-year jail sentence for his involvement in rhino poaching and ordered to pay R1m to the Green Scorpions.

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
ESKOM

Green Scorpions go after Eskom

Eskom appears to have started building at its Safari sub-station without an environmental management plan, environmental affairs said on Tuesday.

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read