The Western Cape government says the appointment of a Commissioner of the Environment is not justified. It says the functions of the position are being performed by existing organs of state.
On Monday, the High Court in Cape Town dismissed with costs an urgent application against Premier Helen Zille for failing to appoint an Environment Commissioner.
The application was brought by a member of the African National Congress Youth League’s(ANCYL) Regional Executive, Winston Erasmus. He claims Zille has breached the Provincial Constitution by not making the appointment.
Erasmus claims the province’s various water augmentation projects are unsustainable. He says the Cape Flats aquifers are also being polluted with waste water.
The Premier spokesperson however says the functions of an Environmental Commissioner are already being adequately performed.
Erasmus says he will study the ruling and consider lodging an appeal.
