Anti-pollution activists have blocked the entrance to Eskom’s Megawatt Park headquarters in Johannesburg following a new study detailing the world’s worst Sulphur dioxide hotspots.
The study revealed that the Kriel area in Mpumalanga is the second-worst SO2 pollution hotspot in the world.
Melita Steele from Greenpeace Africa said the group believes South Africa is in the grip of a climate crisis.
“They seem unable to ensure compliance with the minimum emissions standards,” Steele said.
“It’s a combination of Eskom’s addiction to coal and their dirty and old and highly polluting coal-fired power stations and then the department which is not fully exercising its authority to make sure that Eskom complies.”
Another Greenpeace Africa activist Benoit Nzokizwa added, “Many people are dying and are getting sick as a result of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations polluting our air. Today I’m taking a stand and saying enough is enough.”
