Criminal charges laid against Cornubia chemical plant owners

CRIMINAL charges have been laid against UPL, following the arson attack on its Cornubia factory and the subsequent environmental disaster during the KZN unrest in July.

The case was opened against the pesticide producer yesterday, September 2, at Verulam SAPS.

Ravi Pillay, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, confirmed this at a portfolio meeting on Thursday.

The Northglen News has published several stories on the spill and the impact it has had on both people and the environment, including in the air, soil, freshwater and the ocean itself.

Beaches in the eMdloti and Umhlanga areas have consequently been closed since the spillage into the ocean and rivers.

Related story: Concerns over potential chronic conditions after burning of Cornubia warehouse

“This is sure to be the first of many criminal and civil claims against the company – with two specialist investigators from national and provincial governments leading the charge,” said Heinz de Boer, MPL – DA KZN spokesperson on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

A press release, disseminated by the DA yesterday, states that the charge comes after UPL continued to provide unsatisfactory reports and remedial actions according to Provincial Environmental Affairs officials.

It read: In addition, UPL – which has from the outset remained tight-lipped on its inventory and potential culpability in the matter – is now accused of;

•  Receiving results of water, sediment, and soil samples but not providing an interpretation of the sampling results
• Allegedly receiving the sample analysis reports and simply informing provincial authorities that beaches should remain closed and;
• Unsatisfactory responses to NEMA S30 notices issues to the company.

While the docket is now set to be investigated by the Green Scorpions, the DA welcomes EDTEA MEC Ravi Pillay’s assurances that further criminal charges will be added by eight provincial and national departments, which are intensively investigating the entire UPL saga.

“The DA will ensure these charges are not paper charges but that they lead to convictions,” said de Boer.

Northglen News was unable to immediately obtain comment from the chemical factory, however, a media statement issued on UPL’s website read:

“UPL has noted the statement by Mr Heinz de Boer of the DA that charges have been laid against it in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court for “environmental pollution”. It has not seen any charges, nor does it understand the basis for such charges, if there are any, or who has laid them.”