Sasol on the ropes over Vaal River pollution
Sasol faces fines of up to R10m if it is convicted of unlawfully disposing of hazardous chemicals in the Vaal River system in a ‘manner that was likely to cause pollution or harm to human health and well-being’.
This is set out in the state’s 12-page charge sheet against the energy giant, which lists six counts in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act at its Secunda Synfuels Operations in Mpumalanga.
Nomia Machebe, in her capacity as a representative of Sasol SA Ltd, last week appeared briefly in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court.
The Mail & Guardian reports that the matter was postponed to 13 January 2023.
The charges against Sasol include the unauthorised disposal of waste; unlawful prejudice and/or dismissal of a whistle-blower, who in ‘good faith’ disclosed evidence of a potential environmental risk; disposal that is likely to cause pollution; commencing with listed activities without environmental authorisation and the unlawful, negligent disposition/discharge of contaminated water into a water resource.
The state accuses Sasol of illegally discharging/disposing of waste containing vanadium, diethanolamine and potassium carbonate ‘through the chemical drain valve at the Benfield West phase one area into the chemical sewer, which flowed into the API dams’ between January 2012 and February 2019 at its Synfuels Operations.
API dams are catchment dams for stormwater and for polluted water.
The water in these dams is recycled for use in Sasol’s processes.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
