Latest news with #NationalWaterAct
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
SCA dismisses 'meritless' appeal by two environmental organisations
The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed with costs an appeal by two environmental organisations against the awarding of a water use licence issued to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd in 2016. The SCA said the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Federation for a Sustainable Environment vexatiously pursued the appeal under section 149(1) of the National Water Act (NWA) and it had no merit. The court said the organisations could not be insulated from costs orders regarding two considerations. One was the Biowatch principle, namely that the general rule in constitutional litigation is that an unsuccessful litigant ought not to be ordered to pay costs to the state. The organisations had argued that the high court proceedings were instituted to vindicate environmental rights which were genuine and not frivolous. The second was that they acted reasonably in the protection of the environment. The SCA said Biowatch did not assist the organisations. The Constitutional Court, in the Biowatch case, said a party should not be immunised from appropriate sanctions if its conduct had been 'vexatious, frivolous, professionally unbecoming or in any other similar way abusive of the processes of the court'. 'That is the case here. The appellants, who throughout have been represented by senior and junior counsel, vexatiously pursued the section 149(1) appeal, which has no merit,' said judge of appeal Ashton Schippers in a unanimous judgment of the full bench. Atha-Africa Ventures, the owner of Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine outside Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga, had acquired coal-prospecting rights to an area of 8,360ha, covering 12 privately owned farms in Mpumalanga. In 2013, it was granted a mining right in respect of only five farms.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Modimolle sewer crisis blamed on misuse
MOKOPANE – The Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality is facing ongoing sewer blockages caused by the improper disposal of foreign materials into the sewer system. According to Mayor Aaron Sebolai, residents have been discarding items such as plastic bottles, blankets, grease, oils, linen sheets, animal skins, and even intestines into the system, severely disrupting its function. 'These foreign objects accumulate and cause major blockages, which prevent wastewater from flowing as it should. This leads to sewage overflows, posing serious health hazards and causing environmental damage, including contamination of water sources,' he said. Sebolai referred to the National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998), which prohibits the disposal of harmful substances into water resources, including sewer systems. He also cited the Municipal Systems Act (Act No. 32 of 2000), which empowers municipalities to regulate and enforce rules that protect public infrastructure. Violators of these regulations may face penalties. He urged residents to take personal responsibility for waste disposal, noting that effective sewage systems are essential for public health and environmental safety. 'Our infrastructure cannot withstand the damage caused by such negligence. We must all take ownership and work together to ensure our sewer system functions properly and our environment is preserved for future generations.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
