PORT Elizabeth waste disposal company Waste Tech may be taken to court by environmental groups and the Eastern Cape provincial government for allegedly building a hazardous waste site without permission, the SABC reported.
The Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (Wessa is concerned that the multi-million rand site was excavated without an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
”This sets a dangerous precedent which other industries may follow… They chose a clear disregard of the EIA process. Actions like these must not be tolerated,” said Brian Reeves, Wessa?s environmental officer.
Waste Tech has meanwhile dismissed the claims.
Jeremy Riddle, an environmental consultant mandated by the company, said Waste Tech started building before getting authorisation because it was confident of getting the go-ahead. He said the company has not contravened any law and the environment
has not been harmed by construction.
The Department of Environmental Affairs disagreed. Representative Monde Maqhula said: ”Waste Tech was written by my department a letter on November 23 last year instructing them to stop because we learnt that there is an illegal operation taking place by Waste Tech. They ignored our instruction. We told them about the consequences, They responded saying they are doing that at their own risk.”
Whether or not the case goes to court depends on the results of the investigation by the department, the SABC said. – Sapa