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A critical legal perspective on seismic explorations in light of south africa’s just energy transition
(University of the Western Cape, 2025-07-31) Mathabatha, Mahlodi; Steenkamp, Rochine Melandri
South Africa is a signatory to international agreements such as the Paris Agreement 2015, and has adopted a Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 and submitted revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), committing itself to just energy transition (JET) objectives and giving meaningful effect to human rights in decision-making. However, a disjuncture exists between these commitments and the governance of energy resources. This is concerning considering that South Africa is in the top 15 of the biggest GHG emitters in the world and with the energy sector being one of the biggest sources of these emissions. Seismic explorations raise concerns about cumulative ecological risk, livelihoods of fishing communities, coastal cultural and traditional practices, and the distribution of burdens and benefits for communities already affected by energy poverty. In light of this, this study assesses to what extent the approval of offshore seismic exploration rights aligns with South Africa’s international and domestic climate change commitments within the context of the just energy transition (JET). Through a desktop legal doctrinal analysis of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, international and domestic climate laws and policy, selected environmental and energy laws and policy this study aims to assess to what extent the approval of offshore seismic exploration rights align with South Africa’s international and domestic climate change commitments within the context of the JET. This research is also informed by key case law developments such as Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC and Others v. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Others, which dealt with whether a seismic survey infringed on communities’ rights relating to consultation, conservation, cultural and spiritual livelihood while also negatively contributing to climate change. The study recommends targeted domestic legislative and governance reforms to integrate climate, justice and JET considerations more explicitly into future offshore exploration decisions.
Double taxation agreements: an assessment of their efficacy in the Equitable allocation of taxing and tax collection rights among State parties
(University of the Western Cape, 2025-12-12) Julius, Leonardo; Moosa, Fareed
This study critically evaluates South Africa’s Double Taxation Agreements with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, assessing their effectiveness in achieving an equitable allocation of taxing and tax collection rights. While these treaties successfully mitigate double taxation, the analysis reveals a structural bias favoring residence-state and investment-promoting interest, rooted in OECD model provision, over robust source-state taxing authority. Key treaty features such as tie-breaker residency rules, permanent establishment thresholds and capped withholding taxes on dividends, interest and royalties constrain South Africa's domestic revenue mobilization as a developing capital-importing country. This formal reciprocity masks substantive asymmetries, disproportionately impacting South Africa’s fiscal base while benefiting Gulf states that impose minimal or alternative tax regimes. Judicial confirmation of treaty primacy, alongside administrative limitations and interpretative challenges, further complicates enforcement and revenue protection. By employing doctrinal, comparative, empirical and normative methodologies, the research identifies obstacles in mutual assistance and dispute resolution mechanisms. The study recommends strategic treaty renegotiations, enhanced administrative capacity, taxpayer education and updated cross-border tax collection frameworks aligned with digital economy realities. These measures seek to advance fiscal equity, transparency and sustainable international economic cooperation, contributing to the refinement of international tax law practices.
Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of RUTA GRAVEOLENS L in mice.
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Ahmad, Alkassim Hamzat; George J. Amabeoku
Ruta graveolens L. has been used to treat various ailments including epilepsy in South Africa by traditional medicine practitioners. However. no scientific evidence exists to corroborate the claim that the plant species is effective in the treatment of epilepsy. This project was, therefore, carried out to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of the leaf methanol extract of Ruta graveolens by studying its effect against seizures elicited by either pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), bicuculline, picrotoxin or N-methyl-DL-aspartic acid (NMDLA) in mice. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity and HPLC studies were also carried out on the plant species. Leaf methanol extract of Rura graveolens (100 mg/kg, i.p.), phenobarbitone ( 12 mg/kg, i.p.), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p .) and muscimol (2 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly delayed the onset and also significantly reduced the incidence of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (95 mg/kg. i.p.). Ruta graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) or muscimol (0.6 mg/kg. i.p.) did not significantly affect either the onset or incidence of PTZ (95 mg/kg, i.p.)- induced 5eizures. R. graviolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and muscimol (0.6 mg/kg. i.p.), given together significantly prolonged the onset of PTZ (95 mg/kg ., i.p.) · induced seizures and also significantly reduced the number of mice convulsing. R. graveolens (50 mg/kg. i.p.) significantly delayed the onset of bicuculline (40 mg/kg, i.p.)induced seizures but did not significantly alter the number of animals convulsing. Ruta graveolens ( 100 mg/kg, i.p.), phenobarbitone ( 12 mg/kg, i.p. ), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and muscimol (2 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly delayed the onset and significantly reduced the incidence of bicuculline (40 mg/kg. i.p.)- induced seizures. Ruta graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.), or muscimol (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) given alone, did not significantly affect the onset or the incidence of seizures induced by bicuculline (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Given together, 25 mg/kg (i.p.) of R. gra1·colem and 0.6
Exploring the implications of Work-Integrated Learning for Mining Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Training in Traditional Research Universities: a case of University of the Witwatersrand and University of Pretoria
(Univesity of the Western Cape, 2022) Dipitso, Paul Othusitse; Langa, Patrício
The level of industry-based experiences and the development of work-ready graduates has long been an issue of concern at universities. Rapidly evolving changes in the labour market have contributed to this concern, and there is now an increasing interest among universities in training industry- and work-ready graduates. This study focused on exploring effects of work-integrated learning (WIL) implementation concerning employability outcomes for mining engineering undergraduates at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria. This study builds on and contributes to the body of knowledge by arguing that work integrated learning has a great potential to enable universities to promote employability. Kolb’s experiential learning theory was employed as a theoretical foundation to explore work integrated learning activities. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach to collect data and to address the research questions. Data generation included semi-structured interviews with mining engineering lecturers, mining engineers, and workplace supervisors. The survey measured the work readiness of final year mining engineering undergraduates. The study analysed curriculum documents, including course outlines, syllabus, and vacation work documents.
Treatment outcomes in patients infected with Multidrug-resist ant tuberculosis and in patients With multidrug-resistant tuberculosis coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus at Brewelskloof hospital.
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Adewumi, A. O; Mugabo, P
Many studies have reported low cure rates for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) patients and MDR- TB patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, little is known about the effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy on the treatment outcomes of MDR- TB in South Africa. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: to find out whether HIV infection and interactions between ARVs and second line anti- TB drugs have an impact on the following MDR- TB treatment outcomes: cure rate and treatment failure at Brewelskloof Hospital. MDR- TB patients were treated for 18-24 months. The study was designed as a case-control retrospective study companng MDR-TB treatment outcomes between HIV positive (cases) and HIV negative patients (controls). Patients were included in the study only if they complied with the following criteria: sensitivity to second line anti-TB drugs, MDR-TB infection, co-infection with HIV (for some of them), male and female patients, completion of treatment between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2008. Any patients that presented with extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) were excluded from the study. Data were retrospectively collected from each patient's medical records. There were a total of 336 patients of which 242 (72%) were MDR-TB patients and 94 (27.9%) MDRTB co-infected with HIV patients. Out of the 242 MDR-TB patients, 167 (69.2%) were males and 75 (30.7%) were females. Of the 94 patients with MDR-TB co-infected with HIV, 51 (54.2%) males and 43 (45.7%) females.