The civil rights organisation AfriForum today obtained a court order that sets aside Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,’s decision to review a controversial mine application. This application to mine near the Kruger National Park was submitted in 2019.

AfriForum brought this application after the mine company Manzolwandle Investments (Pty) Ltd started an appeal process after the Department of Mineral resources and Energy denied Manzolwandle Investments’ mining application. Creecy, however, approved the mine company’s appeal application to review the decision. The minister made her decision based on information that does not reflect the truth. AfriForum, who is registered as an interested and affected party in this application, was not notified in this regard. According to the National Environmental Management Act (Nema)’s appeal process, AfriForum and all the other interested and affected parties had to be acknowledged in the decision and process.

According to Lambert De Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager for Environmental Affairs, this is a huge victory, but the battle is not over yet. “It also came to light that Tenbosh (Pty) Ltd which according to AfriForum’s information bought Manzolwandle Investments, also applied to mine in the area. This application corresponds with previous applications in which there are many irregularities and procedural deficiencies.”

“AfriForum will also oppose this matter and we are consulting with our legal team about the possibility to put a stop to mining applications in the area,”

says De Klerk.

AfriForum encourages members of the public who regularly visits the Kruger National Park and who cares about this area to support the organisation. You can help us by supporting our #BewaarOnsNatuur campaign. SMS “KNP” to 45340 (R1).