SA Navy drills: Aucamp to ensure environment not negatively impacted

Amid the diplomatic fallout of the South African Navy hosting Iran for war games off the Simon’s Town coast, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Willie Aucamp said he wants to be sure there’s been no negative impact on the environment.

Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Iran took part in the exercises despite President Cyril Ramaphosa giving the order for Iran to adopt observer status only and not participate in the drills.

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While an inquiry is underway to determine whether Ramaphosa’s directive was defied, Aucamp said he’s requested environmental assessments to be done following unconfirmed reports of oil spillage during the drills in False Bay last week.

“I’m awaiting a report on that, and if there was anything that was done wrongly, we will definitely take the necessary steps to act accordingly. We cannot have it that whether it’s by naval exercises or by any other recreational or commercial exercises, that our coastlines get damaged or get polluted.”

Aucamp said he won’t hesitate to act if the drills caused environmental damage during that period.

“I can promise you that there will be swift action if anything was done wrongly in that area.”