Question NW390 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

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18 March 2022 - NW390

Profile picture: Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Whether, following a suspected gas leak from a certain company (name furnished) and its inhalation at a school and homes in the surrounding area of Richards Bay, where children and adults developed nausea, vomiting, difficulties in breathing with many having collapsed and transported to hospitals and clinics in the Richards Bay and Empangeni areas, her department investigated the incident; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the results of the investigation (b) is being done to prevent the incident from happening in the future? [NW404E]

Reply:

On 07 February 2022, Foskor received a complaint from the uMhlathuze Local Municipality regarding a possible gas leak from its Acid Plant at a localised area of Richards Bay High School. A detailed investigation was immediately conducted by Foskor’s environmental and emergency management. I am advised of the following results:

a) The investigation revealed that there was no gas leak at Foskor facilities.

b) The cause of the incident is still being determined.

Foskor committed to work with the relevant institutions to assist in determining the cause of the incident.

 

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