1. Short title and commencement
This Act may be cited as the Meteorology Act, 2000 and shall come into operation on 1st May, 2001.
2. Interpretation
In this Act—"Bureau" means the Bureau of Meteorology established by section 3;"Director" means the Director of Meteorology appointed under section 4(1).
3. Bureau of Meteorology to be national authority on weather, etc.
There shall be a Bureau of Meteorology which shall be the national authority on weather, climate and flood warning.
4. Appointment of Director of Meteorology
(1)There shall be appointed a Director of Meteorology.
(2)There Director shall be the head of the Bureau and, subject to the provisions of this Act, be responsible for the administration of this Act.
(3)There shall be appointed such other officers as may be necessary to assist the Director.
5. Functions of the Bureau
The functions of the Bureau shall be—
(a)the taking and recording of meteorological observations required for the purposes of meteorology in accordance with international standards;
(b)the forecasting of weather and of the state of the atmosphere;
(c)the issue of warnings of gales, storms and other weather conditions likely to endanger life or property including weather conditions likely to give rise to floods or bushfires;
(d)the supply of meteorological information;
(e)the publication of meteorological reports;
(f)the promotion of the use of meteorological information;
(g)the promotion of the advancement of meteorological science by research, investigation and otherwise;
(h)the furnishing of advice on meteorological matters;
(i)cooperating with national meteorological authorities of other countries and international organizations in relation to matters specified in the preceding paragraphs.
6. Powers of the Director
The Director shall have such powers as are necessary to ensure the performance of the functions of the Bureau, and in particular—
(a)to establish meteorological offices and observation stations;
(b)to arrange with any public authority or person to take, record and transmit meteorological information;
(c)to arrange means of communication for the transmission and reception of meteorological information and reports;
(d)to promote the training of persons in meteorology.
7. Regulations
The Minister may make regulations generally for the purpose of carrying out or giving effect to the objects and provisions of this Act, and for charging of fees in respect of any service or report provided or furnished by the Bureau.
8. Offences
Any person who—
(a)unlawfully tampers with any meteorological equipment;
(b)without the prior written permission of the Director publishes or broadcasts any information originally published by the Bureau; or
(c)acts in contravention of any regulations,
is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of R30,000 or to imprisonment for a period of 3 years.