[Words preceding section 31G(1)(a) substituted by section 20(a) of the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48869, dated 30 June 2023]
| (a) | must monitor and enforce compliance with a law for which he or she has been designated in terms of that section; |
| (aA) | may access and inspect any property, object or pack-animal for the purposes of ascertaining compliance with the legislation for which that inspector has been designated in terms of section 31D and for ascertaining compliance with a term or condition of a permit, authorisation or other instrument issued in terms of relevant legislation. |
| (b) | may investigate any act or omission in respect of which there is a reasonable suspicion that it might constitute— |
| (i) | an offence in terms of such law; |
| (ii) | a breach of such law; or |
| (iii) | a breach of a term or condition of a permit, authorisation or other instrument issued in terms of such law. |
[Section 31G(1)(aA) inserted by section 20(b) of the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48869, dated 30 June 2023]
| (2) | An environmental management inspector or a mineral and petroleum inspector— |
[Words preceding section 31G(2)(a) substituted by section 20(c) of the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48869, dated 30 June 2023]
| (a) | must carry her duties and exercise his or her powers— |
| (i) | in accordance with any instructions issued by the Minister, Minister responsible for mineral resources, Minister responsible for water affairs or MEC, as the case may be; |
[Section 31G(2)(a)(i) substituted by section 20(d) of the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2022, GG46602, dated 24 June 2022: Commencement by Proclamation 125 of 2023, GG48869, dated 30 June 2023]
| (ii) | subject to any limitations and in accordance with any procedures that may be prescribed; and |
| (b) | may be accompanied by an interpreter or any other person whose assistance may reasonably be required; |
| (c) | must exercise his or her powers in a way that minimises any damage to, loss or deterioration of any premises or thing. |
