Report Environmental Violations and Crimes
Report. Protect. Preserve.
Welcome to our environmental transgressions reporting portal. Here, you can play a vital role in protecting our natural world by reporting any incidents of illegal activities that harm our environment. Together, we can safeguard our ecosystems and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
Section 24 of the constitution provides that everyone has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (better name/term?) section of this page to get the most success from your report.
This portal helps you report environmental crimes and concerns across Gauteng. Reports submitted here support monitoring, escalation guidance, and community-driven accountability.
Before submitting a report, it is important to understand that Rooikat Conservation is not a law enforcement agency. We cannot directly resolve incidents, but we can assist by guiding reporting processes, supporting follow-ups, and helping escalate issues where appropriate through our network.
For most cases, an official report must first be logged with the relevant authority, and a reference or case number is required for effective follow-up or escalation.
The more detail you provide—including location, photos, and time of occurrence—the stronger the report and the greater the chance of meaningful action.
How to Report Environmental Violations
For all environmental violations (excluding poaching-related incidents), the first step is always to report the issue to the relevant local authority or responsible department. This ensures the matter is formally registered and assigned an official reference or case number.
Once you have reported the issue, allow a reasonable period of time for action to be taken. Response times may vary depending on the authority and severity of the case. If there is no response or meaningful action within a reasonable timeframe, the issue should then be escalated through follow-up channels, using your reference number as proof of the initial report.
This escalation process is essential, as authorities typically require an official case number before further investigation or intervention can take place. Rooikat Conservation can then assist in guiding escalation, monitoring progress, and supporting accountability efforts where needed.
Clear documentation—including location, photos, dates, and reference numbers—greatly improves the likelihood of effective follow-up and resolution.
City of Tshwane Reporting Portal
The City of Tshwane Reporting Portal is the municipality’s official system for logging and managing service delivery and environmental-related complaints within the city.
Its purpose is to ensure that issues are formally recorded, assigned a case number, and routed to the relevant municipal department for action.
It is commonly used to report:
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Sewage spills and burst sewer lines
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Illegal dumping and waste removal issues
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Water leaks and infrastructure failures
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Pollution incidents affecting municipal land or waterways
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General environmental and public space maintenance problems
Once a report is submitted, the system generates a reference number, which is essential because it:
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Confirms the issue has been officially registered
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Allows residents to track progress
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Enables follow-up and escalation if no action is taken
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Serves as proof of reporting for further accountability steps
In short, it is the primary municipal reporting channel for environmental and infrastructure-related issues within Tshwane, linking public reports directly to city response departments.
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Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline is a central reporting line for serious environmental offences and incidents in South Africa.
Its main purpose is to provide a formal, national channel where the public can report environmental crime and urgent ecological threats so that they can be logged, assessed, and directed to the appropriate enforcement or response unit.
It is typically used for issues such as:
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Illegal dumping of hazardous or large-scale waste
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Pollution of rivers, wetlands, or protected areas
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Illegal mining or environmental degradation activities
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Wildlife crimes and broader conservation-related offences
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Any incident causing significant environmental harm that may require state intervention
When a report is made, the hotline should generate or trigger an official case/reference number, which is important because it:
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Confirms the report has been officially logged
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Allows tracking and follow-up
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Enables escalation if there is no response
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Links the incident to the correct enforcement authority
In short, it serves as a national intake system for environmental enforcement, ensuring serious incidents are formally recorded and routed to the correct government response structures.
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Introduction The National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline is operated by the Department of Environmental Affairs. Established in 2006, it has been operational ever since, with members of the public being able to report alleged non-compliance with environmental legislation, ranging from the illegal dumping of waste and the poaching of wildlife and protected species’ to the lack of water and sanitation services to local communities. This toll-free hotline not only provides a platform for members of the public to voice their concerns about environmental transgressions, but also extends the capability of environmental authorities to detect and tackle non-compliances. Services offered The national environmental crimes and incidents hotline offers the following services: 24 hour toll free number for registering of complaints from members of the public; Analysis of complaint and referral to appropriate regulatory authority; Written acknowledgement of receipt to complainant where the complainant has provided contact details; Written referral letter to the relevant authority. Feedback According to the Constitution, the mandate to enforce and monitor compliance with environmental legislation is shared between national, provincial and local spheres of government. In the event that the complaint: Falls with the mandate on national DEA, the complainant can request feedback from the national department; Falls with the mandate of another national, provincial or local authority, the relevant details of the contact person will be given to the complainant for further feedback and progress on the matter.
Centre for Environmental Rights
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) Environmental Violations Portal is a public reporting platform designed to help document and respond to environmental violations in South Africa.
Its main purpose is to collect, verify, and escalate reports of environmental harm or non-compliance with environmental laws, particularly where regulatory action may be required.
It is typically used for reporting issues such as:
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Pollution of air, water, or land
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Illegal mining or environmentally harmful activities
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Non-compliance with environmental authorisations or permits
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Industrial or corporate environmental violations
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Cases where environmental laws are being ignored or poorly enforced
Unlike municipal reporting systems, CER does not act as an enforcement authority. Instead, it functions as a legal and advocacy support organisation, helping to:
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Document environmental violations
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Support accountability through legal and policy channels
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Escalate systemic or unresolved cases
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Provide legal guidance or strategic intervention where appropriate
In short, the CER portal serves as a legal escalation and accountability mechanism, strengthening environmental governance by ensuring violations are properly recorded and, where necessary, pursued through legal or regulatory processes.
South African Human Rights Commission
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Complaints System is a formal mechanism for reporting violations of human rights in South Africa, including those linked to environmental conditions.
Its purpose is to ensure that when environmental issues affect basic human dignity, health, or access to essential services, they can be investigated as potential human rights violations.
It can be used for complaints involving:
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Unsafe living conditions caused by pollution or waste
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Severe water contamination affecting access to clean water
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Failure of municipalities to provide basic environmental health services
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Environmental conditions that negatively impact health and dignity
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Systemic neglect of communities leading to harmful living environments
Once a complaint is submitted, the SAHRC can:
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Investigate the matter
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Request information from relevant authorities
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Facilitate mediation or recommendations for corrective action
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Escalate serious or systemic issues through formal human rights processes
In short, the SAHRC complaints system provides a human rights-based escalation route, particularly where environmental neglect or pollution directly impacts people’s health, safety, and dignity.
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National Council for Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) is a national animal welfare organisation in South Africa that oversees and supports the network of local SPCA societies and enforces animal protection standards.
Its primary purpose is to prevent cruelty to animals and ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation across the country.
It is typically involved in:
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Investigating and responding to cases of animal cruelty or neglect
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Enforcing the Animals Protection Act and related legislation
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Conducting inspections where animals may be abused, neglected, or kept in poor conditions
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Supporting local SPCA branches with training, legal action, and specialist investigations
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Handling complex or large-scale animal welfare cases that go beyond local capacity
The NSPCA can:
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Investigate reported cruelty cases
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Remove animals from harmful situations where legally justified
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Prosecute offenders in collaboration with legal authorities
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Provide guidance on animal welfare compliance
In short, the NSPCA serves as a national animal welfare enforcement and oversight body, focused on preventing cruelty and ensuring the humane treatment of animals across South Africa.
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