Recent revelations have brought to light a significant illegal petrol station problem in South Africa, with major players implicated in activities that bypass environmental regulations. These issues, coupled with the sale of adulterated diesel, have underscored a troubling trend of unscrupulous practices in the fuel industry.
According to Business Tech magazine, documents obtained by Daily Maverick reveal that at least 12 Shell filling stations in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were either established or expanded illegally, in violation of mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements.
Environmental impact assessments are crucial for identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with fuel operations, such as petrol and diesel leaks that could contaminate rivers, dams, and underground water sources.
Despite the importance of these assessments, Shell Downstream South Africa admitted that several of its Durban-based service stations were built or expanded without the necessary environmental approvals.
Following this admission, the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs fined Shell R250,000 per offence for three of its stations—located on Field Street, Clare Road, and Parthenon Street.
However, Shell appealed these fines, deeming them excessive, even though they are twenty times lower than the maximum penalty permitted by law.
In its appeal to the KZN Appeals Administrator, Shell highlighted its commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental laws.
However, Professor Jenny Hall, a senior law lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, noted that Shell’s actions did not align with its stated commitment.
Hall pointed out that Shell’s repeated applications for after-the-fact authorisations under Section 24G of the National Environmental Management Act suggest a pattern of non-compliance spanning decades.
She further criticised the appeal of already lenient fines, describing it as an attempt to downplay accountability.
The issues extend beyond Shell.
In September, the Pretoria High Court ordered BP to pay a fine of R53 million for environmental violations, marking one of the highest penalties for such crimes in South Africa.
This followed a 2019 ruling that found BP guilty of illegally constructing and upgrading 17 petrol stations in Gauteng without environmental approval as far back as 2000.
These cases highlight a widespread disregard for environmental regulations within the industry.
Adding to the sector’s woes is the discovery of adulterated diesel at approximately 70 petrol stations across the country.
Original article Big illegal petrol station problem in South Africa – BusinessTech
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