The case was opened in May 2021 by the Environmental Management Inspectorate, aka the Green Scorpions, who alleged that Karpowership's consultants misled a chief director in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in order to obtain an exemption from South Africa's strict environmental laws.
But in revealing why the National Prosecuting Authority will not prosecute the case, Mzinyathi also revealed another intriguing detail: the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy may have known about Karpowership’s controversial plan to skirt environmental laws.
It is not clear exactly what was said – the application was made verbally and no recording exists – but Bapela was evidently convinced that Karpowership would be able to immediately supply power to the grid and keep hospitals and ventilators running.The same day, he granted the company an exemption from complying with the costly and lengthy environmental impact assessment process.
amaBhungane Corrupt and corrupt and corrupt
amaBhungane Corruption plan and simple
amaBhungane How convenient...