Sasol Secunda still plans next public meeting
Covid-19 and lockdown affects meeting about environment
SECUNDA – While residents are unhappy with Sasol conducting Zoom meetings for their environmental public meetings, Ms Rethabile Ndjibu of Sasol’s communications department said various engagements were held with the license authority during 2019 to discuss the way forward.
“We want to ensure that public consultations are held safely, following the unrest during the 2018 engagements,” said Ms Ndjibu.
“Upon the guidance from the licensing authority, Sasol engaged with the key focus groups at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 in preparation of large public consultation sessions that were planned to be held in eMbalenhle, Secunda and Lebohang in April this year.
“The focus groups included local community leaders, non-governmental organisations and Govan Mbeki Municipality Ward councillors.”
However, Sasol’s planned public consultation sessions for April had to be deferred because of Covid-19 and the national lockdown.
“Despite the fact that we are currently under level 1 restrictions, large public gatherings of such nature are discouraged due to the associated risks related to Covid-19,” said Ms Ndjibu.
“Sasol is currently exploring alternative methods in ensuring that our communities are informed.
“We continue to engage with the local licensing authority in this regard and further communication will follow in due course.”
