SAPPI, previously known as Saicor, recently pleaded guilty and was fined R8 million for polluting the air through excessive sulphur dioxide emissions by the Scottburgh Magistrates Court.

eThekwini Municipality’s Environmental Health Unit and the South African National Air Quality Office started the investigation in 2014 following a review of Sappi’s monthly, quarterly, and annual emission reports for the period of 2012 to 2014.

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eThekwini’s chairperson of the Community Services Cluster, Zama Sokhabase, said the fine is proof that the city is taking the implementation of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, together with the National Environment Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004, seriously.

“The role of our environmental health team is to monitor compliance with issued atmospheric emission licences so that we can reduce emissions that are a health threat to our communities. We will continue to do this to ensure that communities can enjoy their right to a clean and safe environment,” said Sokhabase.

She added that excessive emissions have a negative impact on the environment and human health and are closely monitored by the city. Pleading guilty, Sappi admitted to contravening the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, attributing it to technical and operational challenges. R5 million of the fine will be payable to eThekwini, and R3 million to the Criminal Assets Recovery Account. Both payments must be made by April 28.

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