Archive post. This call was issued by SAMNET on 5 June 2024. The DFFE public comment period referred to had already closed at the time of writing, and the parliamentary contact details below are those published in 2024 — the Portfolio Committee has since been reconstituted. It is published here as part of SAMNET’s advocacy archive.
We are temporary custodians for future generations.
The South African Muslim Network calls on professionals in environmental management, conservation and law to consider the proposals by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) that would allow South African National Parks (SANParks) to decide on and implement developments without appropriate checks and balances.
Efficiency is not a reason to remove protection
We appreciate the need for greater efficiency in decision-making. But legislation and regulation, however well intentioned, can quickly be abused by those with different agendas, at great cost to our environment and our wildlife. Our recent history shows that even with checks and balances, greed and corruption can overrun public institutions. That argues for stronger protections, not weaker ones.
The solution to inefficiency is not to remove controls and rules. It is to build better systems, skills and capacity. Removing a protective step is like removing the alarm at a bank because it takes too long to switch off. Improve the system; do not remove the protection.
Make your views known
We encourage members of the public, professionals and organisations to contact legislators. Your emails can make a difference.
Secretary of Committee: Tyhileka Madubela — 021 403 3713 — tmadubela@parliament.gov.za
Secretary to the Chairperson: Letitia Titus — ltitus@parliament.gov.za
Coverage
New proposal puts Kruger National Park’s environmental safeguards “at risk” — GroundUp.
Same report — News24, 31 May 2024.
Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of the environment, our national parks and greater engagement in our political process.