- South Africa’s National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has confirmed that paper giant Sappi, has pleaded guilty to contravening environmental law by exceeding sulphur dioxide emissions at its Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Scottburgh Regional Court levied an R8 million fine on Sappi for the transgression which took place between July 2012 to December 2014. “In the plea, the company conceded to the excessive emissions, stating that this was due to technical and/or operational challenges,” the NPA said. “They mentioned that they attended to such problems when they arose in an attempt to remedy the situation and operate with the parameters of their [atmospheric emission]license,” the NPA added.
Sappi must pay R5 million to the eThekwini municipality and R3 million to the Criminal Assets Recovery Account by 28 April. Sappi said on Saturday it would make the two payments before the deadline, as part of an agreement it reached with the Green Scorpions and the Environmental Management Inspectorate.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
