Environmental ethics and crime in the water affairs of the Wonderfontein Spruit Catchment, Gauteng, South Africa
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Date
2008Author
Van Eeden, Elize S
Liefferink, M
Tempelhoff, E
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This article provides an analysis of the water history regarding the Wonderfontein Spruit
Catchment in the former Far West Rand in South Africa. The major scope for discussion
is a short analysis of environmental ethics and crime in this area in the past, and how
it has affected man and environment as analysed from a 21st Century perspective. The
Wonderfontein Spruit Catchment forms part of the present-day Merafong municipal
area, formerly Carletonville. Although voices of concern have featured prominently
since the 1960s and even earlier, no extraordinary ethical approach towards this
environment and its inhabitants is recorded in history. Bibliographic sources of the
Wonderfontein Spruit Catchment currently number over 5000 entries. Despite this
impressive production resulting from especially research, reports and whistle blowing
in the past 55 years, the area was exposed to limited and insufficient ethically inspired
actions, that should have had the ingredients to confirm a positive approach by primary
role players regarding environmental management.