Parliament's National Assembly yesterday unanimously supported the National Environmental Management Amendment Bill, aimed at giving the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism powers to introduce measures at preventing activities which threaten the environment.

The Chairperson of the Environmental Affairs and Tourism Portfolio Committee, Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, introduced the Amendment Bill to Parliament's National Assembly this afternoon.

Both Houses of Parliament have now passed the Bill unopposed.

Once acceded to by the President, the Amendment Bill will allow for the amendment of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) of 1998 so as to provide measures to prohibit, restrict or control activities that are likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment, such as the driving of 4x4 vehicles on beaches.

The restriction on the driving of vehicles on the beaches is now strengthened as what previously was governed by a ministerial regulation now has the unanimous support of Parliament.

Addressing members of the National Assembly at the conclusion of the debate on the Amendment Bill, Minister Moosa said the unopposed vote in favour of the Amendment Bill was a demonstration of Parliament's commitment to environmental protection.

"The message being sent by this House today, particularly to those who have a disregard for the environment and insist on driving their 4x4s on the country's beaches, is that every party in Parliament is at one when we say people do not have a right to wreck our beaches.

"Those who insist on recklessly driving their 4x4s on the beaches have no place in this country".

The legislation allows for exemption to be granted under very special circumstances.

Minister Moosa pointed out, however, that such exemptions "will be few and far between".