A South Coast businessman, now based in Umhlanga, has been criminally charged for abandoning a hazardous chemical factory in Izotsha, leaving behind volumes of potentially deadly chemicals and failing to heed government warnings.

ALSO READ: Chemical burns kill child

The Department Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) was informed of the case through the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). On April 6, officials from the department, accompanied by police, conducted a site inspection of the premises, which appeared to have been abandoned for about two years.

They found two vandalised buildings and various chemicals and powders including nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, formalin, and sulphuric acid. Administration files, a mini lab stocked with chemicals, a mixer and two 10 000 litre tanks containing a liquid had also been left behind.

DEFF, EDTEA and a national SAPS Forensic unit conducted a follow-up site inspection aimed taking samples to determine the possible impact of the chemicals. The results are awaited.

On April 12, a criminal case was registered at Port Shepstone. An administrative enforcement had also been pursued aimed at undertaking clean-up operations at the facility. On April 17, a pre-compliance notice was issued to the owner of the facility. No representation was received from the owner within the specified time frame and subsequently, a compliance notice was issued and served on April 23, leading to charges being laid. A warning statement had already been taken.

Last Thursday, EDTEA MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube conducted a site inspection, accompanied by environmental inspectors, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Mayor Nomusa Mqwebu and the police. “This is a disaster waiting to happen. We are happy that the police have taken over this crime scene and cordoned off the area. Business people like him must be charged. This waste could find its way into our watercourses,” she said.

An adjacent warehouse, where biodiesel was manufactured, was also found abandoned. The businessman was given 48 hours in which to clean up the facilities and look for ways to dispose of the chemicals since vagrants were already sleeping in the warehouses. The owner has written to the  MEC outlining several issues, and asking for an extension to the 48 hours given to clean up the property.

MEC Dube-Ncube then visited Gamalakhe where she closed down a wholesaler whose tenant/owner was operating without a permit. In addition, six undocumented foreign nationals were arrested.

“It’s shocking that he’s also selling expired food. Some of the perishables expired in 2019. This is criminal,” she said.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram