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Ensuring water for all in Inkomati-Usuthu The Green Scorpions protect the environment.

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he Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency is responsible for several functions related to water resources in the Mpumalanga Province. These include: • Water resource planning and operations. • Real-time river operations. • A daptive operational water resource management framework. • Water resource protection. • Water resource utilisation. DR Thomas Gyedu• Public participation. Ababio, CEO

Forestry and Fisheries, the EMI must see to it that environmental legislation is followed and enforced. The EMIs have the powers to: Investigate: question witnesses, inspect and remove articles, take photographs and audiovisual recordings, take samples and remove waste. Inspect: enter premises to ascertain whether legislation is being followed and seize evidence of criminal activity. Enforce:  search premises, containers, vessels, vehicles, aircraft and pack animals; seize evidence and contraband; establish roadblocks and make arrests. Administer:  issue compliance notices and admission of guilt fines. The EMIs are not empowered to prosecute cases in court. All cases continue to be handed over to the  National Prosecuting Authority  (NPA) for prosecution. The EMIs therefore work closely with prosecutors country-wide to ensure the successful prosecution of offenders.

The Green Scorpions explained The Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), commonly known to the public as the Green Scorpions, are government officials (from national, provincial and local government, including the parks authorities and relevant government entities) who are responsible for compliance and enforcement activities with environmental legislation. Simply put, the Green Scorpions represent the environmental compliance and enforcement capacity in respect of the National Environment Management Act (NEMA) and the Specific Environmental Management Acts. According to the Department of Environment,

MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2020/21

The South African Police Service The  South African Police Service  continues to play a crucial role in enforcing environmental legislation and EMIs work closely with the SAPS in the investigation of environmental crimes. In terms of the National Environment Management Act, all police officers have the powers of an EMI.

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