Sasol has denied claims by a whistle-blower that the petrochemical giant is to blame for the intentional pollution of the Vaal River, reports News24. The whistle-blower, also an official at the company, submitted that vanadium and potassium carbonate were among some of the dangerous chemicals Sasol continued to spill into the river.

He was giving evidence before a Human Rights Commission inquiry established to determine whether the pollution of the river amounted to an infringement of basic human rights and to establish what caused the contamination. Sasol's head of group media relations, Alex Anderson, said polluting the river would 'not only be irresponsible, but constitute offences and invoke serious criminal and administrative sanctions under the suite of environmental laws we are subject to'.

'Our approach to environmental compliance management continues to be transparent and collaborative, and we engage with authorities regularly through established forums and also proactively, where we anticipate or identify compliance challenges,'

'The allegations ... around vanadium and potassium carbonate being dumped by our Sasol Synfuels Operations into the Vaal River system, are factually incorrect,' Anderson said. He said the company used the chemicals in its Benfield operation units. However, he said the company managed the chemicals in accordance with the various requirements governing 'hazardous substances'.

He claimed Sasol had not been informed of the continuation of the inquiry on Wednesday and that it would be implicated by one of the witnesses. Chairperson of the inquiry, Buang Jones, said Sasol still has until 28 February to make written submissions. He added that Sasol had refused his team entry to some parts of its premises during an unannounced visit in December.

Full News24 report