UPL has noted the statement by Mr Heinz de
Boer of the DA that charges have been laid against it in the Verulam
Magistrates Court for “environmental pollution”. It has not seen any charges,
nor does it understand the basis for such charges, if there are any, or who has
laid them.
UPL response to Democratic Alliance Statement of 2nd September
2021
UPL has noted the statement by Mr Heinz de
Boer of the DA that charges have been laid against it in the Verulam
Magistrates Court for “environmental pollution”. It has not seen any charges,
nor does it understand the basis for such charges, if there are any, or who has
laid them.
UPL has also noted the statement that it
has played “cat and mouse” and has engaged in a litany of actions including providing
“unsatisfactory reports” and “unsatisfactory responses” and having failed to
supply necessary documents and information to the authorities.
None of it is true. Since the destruction
of its leased warehouse, UPL has complied fully with its reporting obligations,
has been working closely with the relevant national, provincial and local
government authorities, and has been fully compliant with the s.30 Directive
issued by EDTEA. It disclosed its inventories, as required, a considerable time
ago, and its team of experts has employed an array of measures to contain and
progressively clean up the contamination. UPL is conducting an extensive
chemical sampling and testing regime, the results of which are being fully
disclosed to the authorities. UPL has, and will continue to give its full co- operation
to the authorities.
Contrary to what has been said, UPL will
continue to do everything it can to eliminate the spilled product from the
environment, and no expense or expertise is being spared, despite the fact that
the event was the result of civil unrest entirely beyond its control.
