Sappi rejects allegations
AfriForum is disappointed with the Department of Environmental Affairs decision to grant temporary authorisation to Sappi to supply ash to affiliates of the Umkomaas Block Makers Association.
SAPPI has rejected allegations by AfriForum in a media released dated 25 February.
Sappi Saiccor Mill will continue to work with government, the block makers and all interested community members to ensure that waste material is put to positive use in the community in a sustainable and responsible manner, creating employment and sustainable livelihoods.
AfriForum is disappointed with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) decision to grant temporary authorisation to Sappi to supply ash to affiliates of the Umkomaas Block Makers Association in November, 2014.
“The mandate of the DEA is to protect the environment and not to violate the Waste Act,” said said AfriForum provincial co-ordinator, Chris Fourie.
“Representatives of AfriForum Amanzimtoti paid a follow-up visit to the block makers’ sites on 23 February and most of them were still contravening the conditions for reusing ash. According to regulation GN R921, no person may commence, undertake or conduct a waste management activity unless a waste management licence has been issued. We were reliably informed that the issue of Sappi’s non-existent waste management licence was raised in an audit conducted by the department. We have requested the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs to get clarity on this matter and take the necessary action if required.”
Sappi Saiccor Mill clarified that it does not require a waste license to generate or store ash and it does not process the waste or reuse it, for which it would have required a waste license.
The only parties requiring a waste license are the block makers due to the volumes that they receive and they have been legally exempted from having/requiring such licenses in terms of section 74 of the Waste Act.
