Winners of environmental awards announced

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Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi, announced the winners of the Environmental Management Inspectorate Awards. Awards were handed out in six categories, including two new award categories that serve to recognise the often life-threatening work undertaken by field rangers, as well as the critical role of Environmental Management Inspectorate Support Services.

In the prosecutors' category for Outstanding Contribution to the Prosecution of Environmental Crime, was awarded to Charles Lloyd from the National Prosecuting Authority, for his successful prosecution of various environmental matters and self-dedication to the prosecution of environmental crimes.

Fighting rhino poaching

The category for Outstanding Contribution to the Investigation of Environmental Crime was presented to Mario Scholtz from South African National Parks, for his work against rhino poaching and rhino horn smuggling syndicates. Scholtz also contributed extensively to capacity building initiatives.

For her achievement of having undertaken ten successful strategic compliance inspections within the reporting period, inspecting more than 131 authorisations and licensing conditions, the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Inspection of Environmental Legislation, went to Nketu Lesejane, from the National Department of Environmental Affairs.

Godfrey Maluleke, from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, took the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Administrative Enforcement of Environmental Legislation, for ongoing excellence in the field of administrative enforcement and the preparation of 34 legally defensible notices and directives.

Outstanding support

Jacques du Toit, from the National Department of Environmental Affairs was recognised in the category for Outstanding Support Rendered to the Environmental Management Inspectorate, for his support to operational compliance and enforcement, strategic stakeholder engagement and capacity building which has led to a significant improvement in environmental compliance and enforcement in the country.

The category of Outstanding Contribution to Field Ranger Service, was awarded to the entire SANParks Special Operations Team, which includes fourteen officials and five K9 members. The team was acknowledged for their work in the war against rhino poaching.