KZN company told to clean up
2003-03-11 21:10
Johannesburg - A chemical company is to be ordered on Wednesday to make good the health and environmental damage caused by mercury from its plant in KwaZulu-Natal.
A media statement from Deputy Environment Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi's office on Tuesday said Guernica Chemicals SA (Pty) Ltd would be required to "clean-up and rectify the damage done to the environment" at Intshanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
Mabudafhasi said Guernica had not disclosed to employees the health risks of the mercury used at the chemical plant. She said the company had employed its own doctor to examine workers, and as workers became ill they were retrenched.
She said mercury was dumped into the Tugela River, and people and cattle living downstream from the plant had become ill. On a previous visit to the area she had met "young people who were coughing, and weak, and needed help walking".
The order under the National Environmental Management Act would apply the "polluter pays" principle.
When Mabudafhasi hands over the order on Wednesday, she is to be accompanied by Dr Zweli Mkhize, MEC for health, Narend Singh, MEC for agriculture and environment, and the sheriff of the court. Members of the nearby community will also attend.
Attempts to obtain comment from Guernica on Tuesday were unsuccessful. Sapa was referred to the company's attorney, who was not available for comment.
- SAPA