Court rules air quality at country’s coal belts breaches constitutional rights
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment says it is studying the judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court on Friday which declared that the poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area is a breach of residents’ constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.
GroundWork and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action launched the legal battle in 2019, fighting emissions caused by mining activity in parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
The coal belt is home to some of Eskom's coal-fired power stations, as well as other coal mining operations.
The judgement called on Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy to implement the Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan to clean up the air to meet air quality standards.
“The Department is studying the implications of the judgment, will obtain legal advice on the judgment and will comment on these matters in more detail in due course,” says the department’s spokesperson Albi Modise.
Listen to Modise below:
ALSO READ:
