Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Environmental affairs Media statements | Media statements

EAPASA fails as regulator: Continuation of mandate will not protect communities

ByAfriForum 09/09/202509/09/2025

Soundbite: Lambert de Klerk (English)

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s intention to extend the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa’s (EAPASA) mandate as the sole regulatory authority for environmental practitioners – even after 2026 – raises serious concerns, for good reason. AfriForum argues that this continuation proves once again that there will continue to be no consequences for practitioners who do not comply with environmental standards.

EAPASA has been acting as a so-called regulator since 2018, but to date there is no evidence that this authority is effectively carrying out its mandate. In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, it is the responsibility of a regulator to ensure that environmental practitioners meet strict professional standards and that disciplinary action is taken against incompetent or dishonest practitioners. However, the reality shows the opposite.

In the controversial mining project south of the Kruger National Park, AfriForum, as well as many other role players, have repeatedly pointed out serious procedural errors with regard to the environmental impact assessment that was undertaken, studies that were missing and a clear lack of public participation. Yet EAPASA has taken no action against the environmental practitioner, Kimopax, who is managing the process. This example is just one of many where communities are left at the mercy of dishonest or incompetent environmental practitioners.

“When a regulator like EAPASA does not protect the public from corrupt practices, the entire system of environmental governance is undermined. The continuation of EAPASA’s mandate simply means more years in which environmental practitioners can mislead communities and sell out the environment without any repercussions,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager of Environmental Affairs.

AfriForum will submit formal comments on this decision and encourage communities to do the same. “AfriForum will insist that any extension of EAPASA is strictly linked to measurable reforms and an independent disciplinary system. Otherwise, it is just another extension of incompetence,” concludes De Klerk.