South Africa's environmental crimes shoot up by 7%
The Department of Environmental Affairs says there's been a 7.6% increase in recorded environmental crimes over the past financial period of 2020/21.
It says there have also been some convictions.
This is contained in its report, which shows transgressions across various categories which deal with air and waste pollution, protection of coastal environments and ocean spills.
The report shows over the period in question, a total of 1 091 admission of guilt fines to the value of R408 730 were paid.
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It's an increase of 6.6%, while 838 people were arrested.
The department's Albi Modise says it's an indication that the road ahead is still long in the fight to mitigate the impact of climate change.
"South Africa has, over the past two years, already begun to feel the devastating impact of the global risks.
"For example, heavy downpours in KwaZulu-Natal over only a two-day period in April this year caused South Africa's worst and most deadly natural disaster to date. A flash flood so rare and devastating it has one in 300 years probability of recurring.”
