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9 October 2007

A female South African national spent the weekend in jail after being caught red-handed illegally dumping hazardous waste on a site in Romeo Street, Hughes, Boksburg. The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE) branch of the Green Scorpions together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) effected the arrest on Friday, 5 October 2007, after registering a case for contravention of both the local by-laws and the Environment Conservation Act. The environmental legislation provides significantly higher penalties than those provisions that deal with illegal dumping in local by-laws and should the suspect be found guilty of the offence, she could be sentenced to ten years imprisonment or to an equivalent fine or to both such fine and imprisonment.

The hazardous waste that was dumped on site was a resin-like substance that is used in the manufacture of glue-type products. Approximately 50 drums with a combined capacity of 10 000 litres, had been emptied and left unattended on the site. The area covered by these illegal dumps is approximately 5 000 sq m and it is clear that some of this waste has been burned. A further 104 full drums (containing the hazardous substance) were seized by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality which is assisting the Green Scorpions and SAPS in relation to this matter. Investigations revealed that this waste originated from Rolfes Chemicals (Pty) Ltd which had contracted the female suspect to transport and dispose of the waste material.

In order to mitigate the impacts of the hazardous waste on the environment, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment has issued a directive to Rolfes Chemicals (Pty) Ltd to clean up the site and investigate the detrimental effect of the dumping on the environment. Rehabilitation will need to be undertaken following the investigation. The costs associated with these actions will be much higher than they would have been if the waste had been disposed at a legally authorised facility in the first place. The clean-up has already commenced.

Generators of waste (especially hazardous waste) must be very careful when outsourcing the transport and disposal of their waste to contractors who claim to dispose of waste in accordance with legislation. Those who generate the waste will remain ultimately responsible for how this waste is handled and disposed despite contracts they may have with third parties. Those businesses that are selling their waste management and disposal services and then illegally dumping the waste should realise that the authorities are now working together to investigate these matters and ensure the culprits are punished within the full extent of all relevant legislation.

For more information contact:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: 011 355 1316
Cell: 082 778 9996

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng Provincial Government
9 October 2007