Dikeledi stung by environmental love
Her line of work may not be well-known but it plays a vital role for the environment as they investigate, inspect, enforce and administrate a range of environmental concerns.
Dikeledi Mogapi is an environmental management inspector (EMI), also known as a green scorpion.
The GCN caught up with Mogapi when the SaveMe Reptile and Exotics Rescue Centre in Lambton held a reptile expo and convention on October 31 and November 1.
Her line of work may not be well-known but it plays a vital role for the environment as they investigate, inspect, enforce and administrate a range of environmental concerns.
She is a grade two EMI and can arrest poachers, investigate, apply for and execute search warrants.
Mogapi is part of an enforcement unit that investigates transgressions of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 12/1983 and National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10/2004 (NEMBA).
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These include the illegal selling of cycads or the keeping of wild animals without a permit.
Protecting the environment has always been something she had an interest in.
After completing her studies, her career in protecting the voiceless kicked off six years ago in the North West, working in compliance in the permit office.
She later moved to Gauteng.
“I love my job and I’m happy when we save an endangered species or make an arrest. We know one arrest can make a difference or just save a species and give it a fighting chance,” said Dikeledi.
She said the work of the green scorpions is not always understood and that can present challenges for them to do their work.
“Most police officers don’t know what we do and our cases don’t take priority,” said Mogapi.
She said education is still needed for all the different stakeholders they work with.
“Most prosecutors are not so familiar with our Acts and therefore your case will be thrown out of court without you being consulted,” she said.
“As a green scorpion, you need to have patience because in every case a proper investigation needs to be conducted before any action can be taken.
“I have learnt to have patience and not be quick to fine a person or register a docket. You need to take your time investigating the case for you to get a conviction,” said Mogapi.
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
