Unisa online - Launch of the new "green scorpions"The Scorpions may be no more, but watch out for the "green scorpions" who are about to emerge. The first batch will soon "hatch" after a six-month training course at Unisa. The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA), which came into effect in 1998, created EMIs (Environmental Management Inspectors), also known as "green scorpions" to protect the environment. Since much legislation is involved, the EMIs need to be skilled, knowledgeable and professional. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has stipulated that no EMI may act without being properly trained. The DEAT contacted Unisa to assist with the training of the EMIs. The College of Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with the College of Law, has designed a six-month Short Learning Programme. The first one began in July 2008. The EMIs' six months of theoretical training will end with a practical ten-day module. During the first eight days, students will be taught to do physical inspections and investigations on simulated scenes. There will be mock roadblocks and crime scenes, and they will have to carry out arrests in accordance with the law. They will also be taught how to handle operational conflict, and to compile reports and draft charge sheets. All the lecturers from Unisa (law and environmental science) and members of the DEAT will be involved. On the 9th day of the practical training, there will be a mock court case (to be held in the magistrate's court rooms) during which the students will have to display the skills they have learnt. On the 10th day, the students will write a formal two-hour exam. If they pass all the theoretical modules as well as the practical sessions and the exam, they will become "green scorpions" or EMIs. In a time of global warming and climate change the protection of the environment is a major concern worldwide. It is easy to talk about threats like dumping hazardous substances into rivers, polluting the air, and so on, but to actually police such conduct is more difficult. The programme consists of five Advanced Short Courses: ASC 1: Legal context for Environmental Management Compliance and Enforcement (LCEM015) This programme is a flagship for Unisa as 11 lecturers from two colleges, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the College of Law, have collaborated in this venture in the (environmental) interests of a better South Africa. For more information, please contact Dr Elna van Niekerk on 012 352 4290 or vniekhj@unisa.ac.za. Click here for the invitation to the launch event. Click here for the map to Unisa park. |
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