The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) recently made a number of requests for information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), following its growing concern about government’s latest push for further nuclear energy projects. According to Safcei’s Francesca de Gasparis, it is the public’s right to have access to key … [Read more...]
CER challenges government secrecy on climate emissions
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has challenged a decision by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to refuse access to crucial climate change data for several of South Africa’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters. The data to which DEFF refused the CER access include key (GHG) emission data and emissions reductions plans for heavy polluters … [Read more...]
Court case exposes web of secrecy in government nuclear dealings
Earthlife Africa (ELA) and SAFCEI are in the process of filing and serving a supplementary founding affidavit in their court challenge against the Government’s proposed nuclear deal. In the case of purchasing nuclear reactors for South Africa, Minister Joemat Petterssen has gone on record saying that there will be a transparent, fair process when it comes to the nuclear … [Read more...]
Cansa launches fracking transparency initiative
Cansa is worried hazardous substances & carcinogens could contaminate drinking water in the Karoo. The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) has launched an initiative which it hopes will force companies to be transparent, should fracking for shale gas become a reality in the Karoo. The association is worried hazardous substances and known carcinogens, which are … [Read more...]
Secrecy increases over nuclear energy in SA
Greenpeace Africa together with the South African History Archives (SAHA) have today submitted four requests under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), in a bid to obtain information on the management of nuclear energy in South Africa. These requests have been submitted due to the increasing lack of transparency and growing secrecy in this high-risk sector. The … [Read more...]
Intricacies in SA’s secret nuclear plan
Amid the growing secrecy in South Africa’s nuclear energy plan, Greenpeace Africa’s application (under the Promotion of Access to Information Act) for SA’s report on its readiness to develop a nuclear power station has been turned down by the Department of Energy. This decision denies South Africans their basic right to information that will impact on their future. PAIA is … [Read more...]
Help protect us from secrecy
In November 2011, the National Assembly passed the Secrecy Bill, ignoring a monumental public outcry. It was a sad day for South Africa's democracy, and it became known as Black Tuesday. The battle now moves to The National Council of Provinces and President Zuma, who both must approve the Bill before it becomes law. We must keep challenging this draconian bill and taking … [Read more...]
Our democracy is at risk!
South Africa's democracy is at risk! An unconstitutional Secrecy Bill is in Parliament and a Media Tribunal has been endorsed by the ANC, which would muzzle the media, and threaten democratic freedoms. This story by the international pressure group Avaaz writes that their initial massive public outcry had forced the government on the back foot. Now they want more people to … [Read more...]
