YESTERDAY |05 September 2023
Dept provides training for Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI's)
The Compliance & Enforcement Unit hosted the Illegal Succulent Trade Workshop, it is training for Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI's) within the department. This training was provided by TRAFFIC an International Conservation Organization, at the DAERL SASKO Building in Kimberley-Frances Baard District Municipality.
The purpose of this session was to raise awareness about the alarming extent of the illegal succulent trade in South Africa. It is aimed to provide training to
equip inspectors with skills needed to conduct inspections, do thorough investigations and prepare prosecutable case dockets to ensure environmental criminals serve terms they deserve for the damage done to the environment.
During the session ,various topics were covered to enhance understanding and knowledge including the importance of succulent plant diversity in South Africa, basic succulent plant diversity and an introduction to national and provincial legislation protecting these plants. The session also shed light on the criminal penalties associated with succulent plant trade convictions, the maintenance of chain of custody in the event of plant seizures, and the process of rehabilitating confiscated plants.
Additionally, the roles and responsibilities of enforcement officers in combating the illegal succulent plant trade were discussed,this was done by the facilitators of the session.
To reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained, a practical exercise was conducted. Officials were tasked with identifying different types of succulent plants, learning about their distinguished characteristics and understanding how to differentiate between them.
The session concluded with a crucial mentorship and way forward phase ,emphasizing the importance of informing and educating officials to actively combat the threats posed by succulent poaching.
By equipping law enforcement officers with the necessary skills and knowledge, this session also aims to play a significant role in the ongoing fight againts the illegal succulent trade.