(a) The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) initiated a criminal investigation in relation to the operations undertaken by Alexkor SOC (Ltd) (Alexkor), which is situated in Alexander Bay.
(a)(i) The criminal investigation against Alexkor commenced in 2020 and was registered with the South African Police Service (SAPS) under CAS Alexander Bay 19-09-2020. This investigation is complete and was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in
the Northern Cape for a decision to be made on whether or not to institute a prosecution. The DFFE is currently awaiting the decision from the office of the DPP.
(a)(ii) In addition to the criminal investigation, the DFFE issued Alexkor with a Compliance Notice, dated 29 July 2021. This Compliance Notice is aimed at instructing Alexkor to implement measures to address the harm that was caused to the environment during the construction of the cofferdams by using mafic rocks and to cease the use thereof.
(b)(i)(ii) According to the departmental records, there are no reports of non-compliance that bears reference to Koingnaas.
As explained in (a)(ii), a criminal case was registered by the DFFE with Alexander Bay CAS 19/09/2020 as reference against Alexkor. According to departmental records, there is currently no investigation in relation to any activities in Koingnaas.
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DATE: 22 December 2021