Environmental Justice
Action in Southern Africa
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Environmental Justice
Action in Southern Africa |
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PRESS RELEASE - 28th August 2001 Opposition
growing to proposed Sasolburg incinerator
International
and national organisations are lending their support to local Sasolburg
residents who are opposing a proposal for the construction of a hazardous
waste incinerator in Sasolburg.
The
proposal, by Cape Town-based Peacock Bay Environmental Services (PBES), is
currently undergoing an EIA process. Peacock Bay have previously been
involved in attempts to illegally import hazardous waste into South Africa. Nicholas
Kasa
from the Sasolburg Environmental Committee says: "The
construction of a hazardous waste incinerator in Sasolburg will add to the
very serious pollution problems already existing in this area. The
incidence of pollution-related illnesses is already high. We do not want
our families to suffer even more from breathing toxic emissions from the
incinerator. I call on all residents of Sasolburg to unite and oppose
this proposal".
Kasa,
together with another community member and representatives from the Sasolburg
Council, met with the MEC for Environment, Mr Belot, last week to discuss
their concerns with this proposal.
National
organisation, groundWork, as well as international organisations like
the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Environmental Justice Fund and
the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, to name a few, have also written to
the MEC and to National Minister Valli Moosa stating their very strong
opposition to this project.
"Incineration
is an out-dated, polluting technology," says Ardiel Soeker of
groundWork. "Incinerators produce over 190 toxic emissions
including dioxins, furans, mercury and lead. Some of these chemicals
cause cancer and others have been linked to reproductive problems,
still-births, birth defects, learning problems, reduced sperm count, weakened
immune systems, and respiratory problems amongst others," he said. "Across the world, from Europe to the States to the Philippines, incinerators are being closed down and replaced with non-polluting alternative technologies. Safe alternatives to incineration exist and we encourage South Africa to actively investigate these alternatives, and not to allow the influx of incinerators into this beautiful country," says Neil Tangri of the US based Essential Action. All
Sasolburg residents are invited to attend a meeting on the 30th August 2001 at
17h30 at Iketsetseng Comprehensive School.
At
this meeting a submission opposing this project will be formulated to be sent
to the Free State MEC for Environment. For
more information and photos contact: |