The Democratic Alliance in the City of uMhlathuze is greatly concerned about the investigation being conducted into a gas leak incident that affected 370 residents and pupils earlier this year in Richards Bay.
It has been four months since the incident took place and yet the municipality has done little to nothing to engage with the affected residents.
The DA had written to the City to request details of the investigation and measures taken by the municipality [view here]. From the municipality’s response, it is clear that they have not given this matter the attention that it deserves and have no plans to protect residents should it happen again.
From the response, we still have a number of concerns including;
1. That the City does not acknowledge and claims to have no records that 370 residents were affected by gas inhalation even though a full complaints and incidents log was submitted to the City by the Richards Bay Clean Air Association on 19 February 2022. The DA has, upon request, seen all correspondence between RBCAA and City of uMhlathuze officials as part of our research. [view here]
2. The City states it has early warning measures and a contingency plan in place (although questionable) none of these were seen to be implemented on any day when the gas leaks exceeded the air quality standards.
3. No study on the public health implications has been conducted and in their response, there is no confirmation of any intention or plans to do so.
Having monitored stations and an air quality unit is simply a tick box exercise unless they will actually thoroughly investigate the exceeding gas leaks and hold the responsible parties accountable.
The Disaster Management Advisory Forums also serve no purpose if they do not discuss these incidents.
Richards Bay is notorious for gas leaks and other air quality concerns. From December 2021 to the end of February 2022, a total of 876 Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been recorded at the Richards Bay Clear Air Associations air quality monitoring stations. Foskor, which is closely situated to residential areas, has been confirmed as the source of 842 of these gas leaks during this period. This is clear evidence of a failing plant. The remainder of these exceedances is still under investigation. [view here]
The continuous exposure to high levels of air pollution, which residents are forced to endure, can cause a variety of adverse health outcomes. It increases the risk of respiratory infections such as heart disease and lung cancer. Both short and long-term exposure to air pollutants has been associated with health impacts. More severe impacts affect people who are already ill.
The question remains: what is going to be done to make sure this will never happen again and that those responsible are held accountable?
Under these circumstances, it is crucial that all departments are equipped and work together to minimize the risks of the gas leakages, respond effectively to health emergencies, and hold those responsible accountable. It is crucial that we not only pass but enforce bylaws to prevent the pollution of our natural environment that can lead to long-term illness or health implications.
When the local government fails to deliver on its responsibilities as mandated in the Constitution, the lives and health of millions of South Africans are severely affected.
The DA will continue its fight for a thorough investigation to be conducted, those who are responsible be held accountable, and for the health of the public to be protected.