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Pollution has been a serious issue dominating headlines in 2002. Pollution has been appearing in various forms such as water/liquid, air and solid waste. Lets take a glimpse on the issue.

On deadly grounds, 31 March 2002, Sunday Times of Swaziland

A side view of an Ethanol Plant in Big Bend

A neighbourhood was alarmed after a 13 year old; Muzikayise Mamba developed a strange disease after he stepped onto a dumpsite for a local alcohol making company. Since then he has suffered unexplained illnesses, from cracking soles to swollen testicles. His family was pointing fingers at USA Distillers, whom they say were reckless in disposing waste chemicals.

Other members of the Mahlabaneni community complained of stomach aches after the liquid was discovered and at least one other child suffered similar symptoms to Muzikayise.

Operations Director at USA Distillers declined knowledge of the case and wondered why it was not brought to their attention. However, the company admitted that there was once a spillage of concentrated molasses solid, but the substance was not harmful. 

Just around September 2002, the same company was taken to court for violating the Environment Act.  The company was reported to have written to the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Communications apologising for its act. 

USA Distillers apologise for pollution 22 October 2002, Times of Swaziland
An alcohol manufacturing company, USA Distillers based in Big Bend, which has been taken to court by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Communications for violating the Environmental Act, have written a letter of apology to the minister. Part of the letter reads, "e of course from our side acknowledge that the environmental laws need to be complied with properly. It has all along been the attitude of the company and its management that due recognition should be given to the proper care of environment. We also believe as the company has learn from experience, it has adapted its practices with a view to enduring that they conform with recognised best practice. The company through its representatives will shortly be in touch with the officials of your department in order to make progress and resolve all outstanding difficulties." The case is presently pending in the courts.

Air pollution hotspot
Bhunya was identified as an air pollution hotspot. An air pollution awareness campaign by Yonge Nawe triggered widespread concern about air pollution issues in and around Bhunya and other parts of the country. 

Yonge Nawe Celebrates Asthma Day in Bhunya, 15 May 2002, Times of Swaziland

Pulp plant in Bhunya

Yonge Nawe celebrated this day with communities around Bhunya. A short video documentary was short in partnership with STBC which carried the message became that bad smoke caused by the Sappi Usuthu pulp industry was affecting people’s health and the environment with asthmatic people being the worst affected.

In response to this intervention the company carried a press release in the local papers committing E10.5 million towards improving production systems. 

Investment reflects confidence in Sappi Usutu’s future, May 2002. Times of Swaziland 
Sappi Usutu is pleased to announce that it has committed 10.5 million Emalangeni to rebuild the electrostatic precipitators on the mill’s boiler stacks. The project will remove, to international, all the dust particles from the exchange gases and eliminate the characteristic white plume, which hangs over the mill. The project was expected to be complete by November 2002. 

River Polluted by dumpsite waste, 10 June 2002, Times of Swaziland
While the Havelock Asbestos Mine in Bulembu was closed the issue that remained was that Swazis living along the Nkomazi River were exposed to contaminating the notorious asbestosis disease because of asbestos particles from the dumpsite of the mine that were polluting the river. 
 

Asbestos particles carried by the Nkomazi dam

Further, the problem was likely to affect the multi million Maguga Dam, which is about 10km away from Bulembu as asbestos particles were likely to be transported by the tributaries of the Nkomazi River into the dam. Aqua life was also likely to be affected by these particles. According to a report published in the Times of Swaziland of 22 May 2002,

HVL wanted to flee the country without fulfilling their environmental obligations. It is time that companies take full responsibility of their actions.

‘Fishy’ substance at Matsapha firm 4 October 2002, Times of Swaziland
 

Effluents being discharged into the Lushushwana River

Water resources branch confirmed that a firm at Matsapha Industrial Site was responsible for polluting the Swaziland Electricity Board pond and Usushwana River in Matsapha. Firms around Matsapha Industrial site discharge effluent into Usushwana River, which feeds Dwaleni Community downstream with household water. 

Fish were already dead by the time they reached Dwaleni, 4 October 2002, Swazi Observer
The poisoning of the River, which left more than 1000 fish dead meant that the Dwaleni community is, exposed to danger from toxic waste that industries are discharging.  The Minister of Health discouraged the communities from eating the dead fish, as they were exposing themselves to danger especially pregnant women were said could suffer miscarriages. 

Potential industrial pollution hotspots identified, 23 October 2002, Swazi Observer

A factory at one of the potential pollution hotspots

Yonge Nawe Environmental Action Group identified about ten potential industrial pollution hotspots in the country. These include the Matsapha industrial site, Bhunya, Simunye, Mhlume, Big Bend, Maloma, and USA Distillers in Big Bend.  Status Quo In Swaziland waste issues including industrial pollution are dealt under the Waste Regulations of April 2000,

which state that "a person shall not collect, transport, sort, recover, treat, store, dispose of or otherwise manage waste in a manner that is likely to result in an adverse effect."

The discharge directly into a water body of commercial or industrial waste, other than special waste, in the form of effluent should be in compliant with Water Pollution Control Regulations as contained in the Water Act of 1967. However, the current Water Pollution Control regulations of 2000 are not yet enforceable. 

Air Pollution Control Regulations of 2000 which regulates the emission into the atmosphere of commercial or industrial waste, other than special waste, in the form of gas or particulates are also not yet enforceable

The problems of industrial pollution are attributed to both inadequate and weak legislation. It has been argued that the waste regulations, for example does not quantify for the maximum pollution discharge limits, but only state that it should not result in an adverse effect. 

The Draft Environmental Management Bill was passed by Parliament sometime back and is awaiting royal assent a thing, which some environmentalists believe, would bring back environmental sanity. 

Lets all fight for a pollution free environment.
What do you think are the main causes of pollution in Swaziland? How do you think these problems could be addressed? Send your contributions to Yonge Nawe P O Box 2061, Mbabane, Swaziland and stand a chance to win a T-Shirt.

Happy New Year and wish you a pollution free 2003.