‘Creecy takes decisive action against Eskom’s noncompliance at Kendal’ 18 May 2020

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has welcomed the decisive action taken against Eskom’s Kendal power station by Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy. The Minister has ordered the State-owned power utility to, within 30 days, stop operations at either Unit 1 or Unit 5 of the power station, until the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) agrees that its operation may continue.

…In her decision, Creecy acknowledged that the failure on Eskom’s part to take action in bringing Kendal back into compliance will continue to present serious environmental impacts and health threats to affected communities around the power station. The National Environmental Management Act does make provision for the Minister to revoke the power station’s licence if it does not comply with the order.

Nonprofit environmental organisation Groundwork community campaigner Thomas Mnguni says that although the Minister’s decision gives Eskom more time to comply, it sends a clear signal to Eskom that the dangerous health impacts of its emissions are unacceptable. Various nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in April and May presented Creecy with new evidence that they say shows that emissions from Kendal power station alone were responsible for as many as 274 early deaths between November 2018 and October 2019.