City appoints new environmental inspectors

The announcement was made in September and will effectively see 11 new inspectors tasked with investigating and dealing with environmental issues in Johannesburg.

Ward 117 councillor, Tim Truluck, explained the purpose behind creating the role of environmental inspectors by the city’s Environment and Infrastructure Services.

“In the past, environmental issues were usually handled by agencies such as the Metro police or environmental health inspectors, but the department decided to appoint trained officials to have one body dealing with such issues,” he said

He also explained that it was a necessary move because the city itself did not have a specific entity dealing with such issues; the only officials tasked with effectively dealing with environmental issues were the Green Scorpions and they operate on a provincial level.

This, he added, meant that there was much confusion on the part of residents on who exactly handled and investigated environmental issues and violations.

The newly-appointed inspectors will have the power to investigate issues and problems such as waste management, water and air pollution, biodiversity issues and impact management that contravene the National Environmental Management Act and Environmental Impact Assessment listed activities.

“Additionally, these inspectors will work with the Metro police and health inspectors to handle contraventions that they themselves are unable to solve,” he said.

Only 11 inspectors have been trained and commissioned at this stage, but Truluck said it was enough for now, seeing as the initiative is a new one and time was needed to assess the extent of environmental issues in the city.

He also encouraged residents and business owners to make use of them, as it would greatly contribute to dealing with environmental issues within the city.

To report problems identified in the area to them, contact 011 587 4232 or email abednigot@joburg.org.za