Parly urged to move Denel factory
2003-03-11 23:23
Cape Town - Community leaders from Khayelitsha asked parliament on Tuesday to order the Denel ammunitions factory, situated about 400m from the residential area, to relocate permanently.
"You don't have to be a scientist to know that the smoke and dust from the factory could cause cancer and tuberculosis among the residents," said Lennox Boyce, a councillor from Khayelitsha.
Denel has applied to government for permission to build an incinerator at its Swartklip plant outside Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain.
Since 1948, the factory has burnt ammunition waste in the open field. This practise is considered even more dangerous to the environment and the health of residents.
About 80kg of waste is burnt at Swartklip every day and an incinerator would be able to handle 60kg a day.
Boyce said they appreciated Denel's contribution to job creation in the area, but that this should not be at the expense of people's health.