Eapasa Faces Scrutiny Over Lack of Transparency in Disciplinary Actions

In a move that raises eyebrows, the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (Eapasa) has revealed only a sliver of its disciplinary records, despite years of inquiries into its oversight of environmental consultants. Established to uphold ethical standards among its members, Eapasa has reported that out of over 2,500 registered practitioners, only five were disciplined for misconduct since its inception in 2012.

The recent disclosure comes after persistent questioning by media outlets, particularly Daily Maverick, about Eapasa's accountability mechanisms. While it announced that it had received 69 complaints regarding ethical transgressions, the specifics remain hidden. Eapasa Registrar and CEO Patrick Sithole has declined to name the sanctioned individuals or detail their infractions, citing administrative and legal reasons.

This lack of transparency contradicts Eapasa's previous commitment to publicly naming and shaming offenders, a policy that has now been altered to allow discretion in publishing such information. Critics, including legal experts, argue that withholding names undermines accountability and public trust in the environmental assessment process.

According to Eapasa, the complaints were categorized in various ways: 25 were deemed informal and closed without further action, while 23 were withdrawn or stagnated. Only 21 were formally investigated by the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), with 16 of these dismissed for falling outside Eapasa's jurisdiction.

The sanctions for the five upheld complaints included fines totaling R80,000 and temporary suspensions, yet the details of these cases remain undisclosed. Experts like Professor Michael Kidd from the University of KwaZulu-Natal have voiced concerns, suggesting that the names of offenders should be publicly available to ensure clients are informed about the practitioners they engage.

Furthermore, Attorney Paul Wani Lado from the Centre for Environmental Rights highlighted the importance of robust accountability frameworks in fostering public confidence in environmental governance. As Eapasa continues to manage ethical breaches among environmental practitioners, the demand for transparency and accountability has never been more pressing.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za