Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY INTO THE ISSUING OF A PERMIT FOR THE IMPORTANT OF DANGEROUS WASTE
An independent enquiry into the issuing of a permit for the import of cupric arsenite will soon commence. The name of the person who will conduct the enquiry, will be announced shortly. The enquiry follows dissatisfaction expressed about the existing procedure for issuing a permit for the import of dangerous waste, with specific reference to the recent cupric arsenite issue.
A consultant appointed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to assist with the implementation of the terms of the Basel Convention, was, together with officials of the Department, responsible for issuing the permit.
Neither the Minister, Dr Dawie de Villiers, nor the Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, nor the Director General, Dr Colin Cameron was informed that a permit had been issued. After news of the shipment of dangerous waste to South Africa broke, Dr de Villiers approached the Finnish Government with a request to persuade the exporter not to go ahead with the transaction. As a result of the intervention of the Finnish Minister of Environmental Affair, the ship did not leave Hamburg for South Africa.
Both Ministers have already voiced their dissatisfaction with the procedures that were followed by the Department and have undertaken to correct the situation. A total ban was subsequently placed on the issuing of any further permits for the importation of dangerous waste for dumping of recycling in South Africa.
The facts in this case are well known and can easily be verified by a further independent enquiry. The issuing of a permit is an administrative function. Steps are being taken to rectify the procedure by reviewing the agreement between the Department and the consultant. On the basis of the available evidence there is no justification for appointing a Commission of Enquiry at great expense, to look into an administrative problem about which most of the information is already known. This is why the Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs decided on Wednesday that the issue should be handled in a different way. The enquiry which has now been announced,gives any person or institution the opportunity to provide the investigator with further written or oral evidence on thjis issue. Details concerning a contact person and address, as well as the name of the person to head the enquiry will be made available as soon as possible.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
CAPE TOWN 8 SEPTEMBER Enquiries : Anna-Marie - Tel: (012) 310 3434