Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs & Tourism
28 August 1996
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, views environmental pollution by industry in a very serious light, and is committed to ensuring that industrial plants comply with pollution control regulations.
Minister Jordan has received information from his department that Kilson Lime Works in the Milnerton area has been notified on numerous occasions since October 1995 to take the necessary steps to bring their emissions within legal limits. They have failed to do so and have this month been notified by the department to stop production until suitable air cleaning equipment have been installed.
It is a matter of grave concern that this order has been ignored. The Minister has now instructed his department to enforce the appropriate measures, to ensure that Kilson Lime Works either complies with the proper air pollution control regulations with immediate effect, or faces the consequences of their flagrant actions of environmental abuse.
Industry is under obligation to prevent damage being done to the environment. Wide-scale environmental exploitation in the name of economic growth, a familiar pattern in South African history, served to reinforce the social and economic exploitation of the people in this country. Environmental degradation ultimately affects the growth and development of all people in our society.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is committed to ensuring that the government plays a leading role in protecting the basic human rights to live in a healthy environment and to have our environmental heritage preserved for future generations. The government is ultimately responsible to the people, and it is therefore the right of affected and aggrieved communities to put pressure on government to address their concerns.
ISSUED BY: CASSANDRA GABRIEL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM
PH: 021 457 240 082 573 4168 FAX: 021 453 216