PRESS STATEMENT BY UPL SOUTH
AFRICA
02 November 2021
Cornubia warehouse attack: UPL welcomes
reopening of the beaches
UPL welcomes the announcement by KwaZulu-Natal
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Mr
Ravi Pillay, that the majority of beaches that were closed will reopen for
recreational purposes today, 2 November 2021. This latest development
demonstrates the success of UPL’s ongoing extensive clean-up operations.
This decision
follows the finalisation of the EDTEA’s external peer review of the independent
specialists’ final beaches report, submitted by UPL on the 24th of
September to the eThekwini Municipality. That report concluded that, save for a 1km exclusion zone
north, south and east of the Ohlanga River mouth, the
beaches are safe to reopen (regardless of whether the Ohlanga Estuary mouth is
open or closed).
PRESS STATEMENT BY UPL SOUTH
AFRICA
02 November 2021
Cornubia warehouse attack: UPL welcomes
reopening of the beaches
UPL welcomes the announcement by KwaZulu-Natal
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Mr
Ravi Pillay, that the majority of beaches that were closed will reopen for
recreational purposes today, 2 November 2021. This latest development
demonstrates the success of UPL’s ongoing extensive clean-up operations.
This decision
follows the finalisation of the EDTEA’s external peer review of the independent
specialists’ final beaches report, submitted by UPL on the 24th of
September to the eThekwini Municipality. That report concluded that, save for a 1km exclusion zone
north, south and east of the Ohlanga River mouth, the
beaches are safe to reopen (regardless of whether the Ohlanga Estuary mouth is
open or closed).
We are pleased that the EDTEA’s
external peer reviewer has concurred with the recommendations of the beaches
report and that the eThekwini municipality, as the competent authority, has
made the decision to reopen the beaches. .
UPL has spared no expense to
mitigate the impact of the chemical spill that resulted from the 12th
July arson attack on the warehouse leased by UPL and the failure of
emergency and fire services to attend to the fire timeously due to the complete
breakdown of law and order in the area at the time. It has spent over R250
million to date on its clean up and rehabilitation operations.
Going forward UPL’s team of
independent specialists will continue to assess the impact of the spill on the
environment, and the potential impact on human health, in the surrounding
business and residential communities. UPL will continue working on remediation
and rehabilitation programmes in the affected areas.
UPL will continue engaging with
government authorities, civil society and surrounding communities on these
programmes.
Finally, UPL, who is one of the leading suppliers of local farming input to
farmers across South Africa, is committed to providing local farmers with
the vital inputs that they require for this year’s growing season and to
contribute to the country’s overall food security.
ENDS
Please attribute quotes to Japhet Ncube, spokesperson for UPL South Africa
Please note that UPL
South Africa (Pty) Ltd is the correct name of the company. It is not United
Phosphorus Ltd.
Media Enquiries:
Thabi Ndhlovu
061 993 6672
