The vacancy rate at the Green Scorpions is negatively impacting the speed with which they can respond to complaints about the potential pollution that may affect the environment and the natural fauna and flora in Gauteng.
Currently, the Green Scorpions have a staff component of 51, of which six funded vacancies are vacant.
This information was revealed in a written reply to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbali Hlophe.
According to the MEC, the work of the Green Scorpions is human resource driven. Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) have to physically investigate complaints and monitor compliance with conditions of authorisations and licences issued by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD).
Given the fact that not all posts are filled at the Green Scorpions, this means that wetlands challenges cannot be attended to with the speed required.
This is worrying because several wetlands are being polluted by raw sewage. This has been made worse by the fact that the department is unaware of the number of wetlands in the province.
The DA will be engaging with the MEC directly on the issue to ensure that all the funded vacancies are filled as a matter of urgency.