The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), in collaboration with the KZN Wildlife and City of eThekwini Municipality will host a biodiversity compliance awareness workshop in Durban on Thursday 08 June 2017.

The one day workshop, which will bring together government authorities, muti-traders and traditional healers, aims to promote compliance with the National Environmental Legislation, particularly the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act by the “muti-traders” and “muti-collectors” operating at the Durban muti-markets and the surrounding areas.

The DEA, together with provincial conservation departments, have been receiving increased complaints from members of the public about a diverse number of threatened species listed in terms of the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations that are being illegally sold at “muti-markets” around the country. In light of the complaints, government will embark on a compliance awareness drive to, amongst others, empower traders in the “muti-markets” industry by providing knowledge about environmental legislation and to enable them to play a meaningful role in the conservation of the country’s biodiversity.

Members of the media are invited to attended and cover the workshop as per the details below.

Date:               08 June 2017
Venue:           The Royal Hotel, 267 Anton Lembede St, Durban
Time:              09:00 -15:30

To RSVP, contact: Ernest Mulibana on 082 263 7372 / EMulibana@environment.gov.za