Eskom prosecution ‘long overdue’
GREENPEACE Africa says moves by the Department of Environment, Forest and Fisheries' (Deff) to pursue criminal prosecution against Eskom for air pollution are long overdue.
Deff Minister Barbara Creecy announced on Monday that a summons was served on Eskom notifying it of the decision by the senior public prosecutor to pursue criminal prosecution in respect of air pollution by Eskom's Kendal Power station.
The charges are for exceeding the emissions limit on air pollutants as specified in its Atmospheric Emission Licence, failure to comply with conditions or requirements of the Atmospheric Emissions Licence and supplying false or misleading information to the Air Quality Officer.
“Eskom can confirm it has been summoned to appear at the eMalahleni Regional Court with regards to the Kendal Power Station.
“As the matter is now sub judice, Eskom will be guided by the court process, and will not be commenting further on this subject. The court date has been set for January 28,” Eskom said.
Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner Nhlanhla Sibisi called for a crackdown on all noncompliant air polluters.
“While it is commendable that the department has finally woken up to a realisation of the air pollution crisis facing South Africa, this decision is well within the department's mandate and long overdue.
“Greenpeace Africa urges the department for increased enforcement of the standards across the industry to safeguard the constitutional rights of all South Africans to a healthy environment,” Sibisi said.
“Eskom's internal investigation report, which revealed that Eskom provided false and misleading information to the regulatory authority, confirms Greenpeace Africa assertions that Eskom's corruption, maladministration and blatant negligence are costing South Africans their lives.”
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) environmental governance group said they supported Creecy's move.
“In our view, Eskom has had adequate time to address this specific example of a health and environment-damaging problem which is at the heart of a coal-based economy,” Wessa's Patrick Dowling. said.