Wading into the debate on section 2(4)(r) of the National Environmental Management Act 107/1998 and its impact on policy formulation for the protection of South African wetlands

The loss and degradation of wetlands is an international dilemma and measures are put in place to ensure their conservation. In South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Revised Strategic Plan 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 submitted that, of the 792 wetland ecosystems, 65 per cent have been identified as threatened and 48 per cent as critically endangered. A later revised plan provides that 50 per cent of South Africa’s wetlands have been lost.3 This is worrisome considering the all-important functions they fulfil and the benefits they provide.