Dr Steven Cornelius is leaving Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  He has held the post of Head of Department since 2004.

Stepping in as Acting Head of Department is advocate John Nesidoni.

The Minister of Water Affairs has responded in draft to questions submitted by Gareth Morgan of the Democratic Alliance on the burning issue of Acid Mine Drainage on the West Rand.

The AMD on the West Rand is not a theoretical debate.  The matter should be of grave concern to people residing in Gauteng, and is a quantitative example of government's response to the citizens' right to an environment that is now harmful.

The Deputy Minister of Water Affairs and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi says "There is a big problem of Acid Mine Drainage in the Witwatersrand area which threatens our ground water resources and the very integrity of the environment and human survival. Even the famous Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage site is under threat. We are currently engaged with short term interventions to alleviate the worst effects, but the time has come for those responsible to account for their actions."

Mabudafhasi was presenting the Environment budget vote in Parliament.

Minister Sonjica delivered her Budget Vote speech in the National Assembly, setting the expectation of dramatic change by dedicating her speech to Nelson Mandela's vision to “make tomorrow better than today”.

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica confirmed that short-term emergency steps have been introduced to reduce and treat uncontrolled Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from the West Rand.