We, the undersigned South African organisations, write an open letter to Sasol in solidarity withWe, the undersigned South African organisations, write an open letter to Sasol in solidarity withthe people of Mossville, Louisiana, USA. The historically African-American community ofMossville has suffered enormously from long-standing toxic pollution produced by Sasol’s LakeCharles Chemical Complex, which sits on the fenceline of their homes. Moreover, Sasol’sexpansion of this facility has depleted the population of this once-vibrant community. We urgeSasol to make things right for this community and conduct an equitable property buyout for theremaining Mossville residents who are interested in relocation.
Sasol’s Destruction in South Africa
For two decades, once United Nations oil sanctions were imposed on the apartheid regimeFor two decades, once United Nations oil sanctions were imposed on the apartheid regimerunning South Africa, the parastatal company Sasol was given state support to bust sanctions.The firm’s privatisation and its double-listing on the New York and Johannesburg stockexchanges paved the way for massive capital flight from South Africa in the democratic era.
Weak post-apartheid environmental regulation meant Sasol kept polluting at its main facilities inWeak post-apartheid environmental regulation meant Sasol kept polluting at its main facilities inSecunda and Sasolburg. And predictably in South Africa, like in the United States, communitiesliving near Sasol facilities are still harmed by its pollution.
Sasol’s Secunda plant is the world’s largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions. ThisSasol’s Secunda plant is the world’s largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions. Thissingle facility emits more than over 100 countries do nationally, largely due to its energyintensive coal-to-liquid operations. Leaks from the gas pipeline that feeds the facility furthercontribute to the climate catastrophe, as methane is over 80 times more potent than CO2 over a20-year period.
The Secunda facility also releases toxic pollutants, estimated to be responsible for 17% ofThe Secunda facility also releases toxic pollutants, estimated to be responsible for 17% ofhospital admissions in Mpumalanga Province and as many as 72 deaths every year. Emissionsfrom multiple Sasol facilities contribute to the Vaal Triangle being the “most polluted place onEarth.” Sasol is also facing criminal charges for its alleged intentional dumping of hazardouswaste from its Secunda facility into the Vaal River, a waterway on which approximately 19million people depend.
The Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance, along with numerous other civil society organisations,The Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance, along with numerous other civil society organisations,has long campaigned for Sasol to pay its ecological debt and halt all toxic and greenhouse gasemissions. Though we are separated by thousands of kilometres, we stand in solidarity with thepeople of Mossville, who face the same consequences of Sasol’s unforgiving recklessness intheir community as many South Africans do in ours.
Sasol’s Mistreatment of Mossville, Louisiana, USA
Mossville, Louisiana was founded by formerly enslaved people and was once a thrivingMossville, Louisiana was founded by formerly enslaved people and was once a thrivingcommunity of over 500 families. Today, just over 50 families are left due to the ongoingdecimation of their community. Sasol’s massive Lake Charles Chemical Complex emits toxicchemicals into the air, soil, and water each year, poisoning these essential resources and riskingthe health of those who live nearby. The Sasol plant emits thousands of pounds of the potent carcinogen ethylene oxide, which has led to cancer risk in the surrounding communities beingcarcinogen ethylene oxide, which has led to cancer risk in the surrounding communities beingthree times higher than the risk considered acceptable by the United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency.
When Sasol initiated a buyout program for residents in 2013 after announcing a majorWhen Sasol initiated a buyout program for residents in 2013 after announcing a majorexpansion of its Lake Charles facilities, it failed to do so equitably. One study by the UniversityNetwork of Human Rights found that in the neighbouring community Brentwood, whereresidents are 90% white, residents were offered 45% more compensation for their houses onaverage compared to residents in Mossville, which is 90% Black. This inequity resulted indivision in the community and in many Mossville residents refusing the buyout. Since then, thepeople of Mossville have organised a community advocacy group, named Concern Citizens ofMossville (CCOM).
Ten years after the initial failed buyout, the situation is dire. The United States EnvironmentalTen years after the initial failed buyout, the situation is dire. The United States EnvironmentalProtection Agency just fined Sasol $1.4 million (over ZAR 22 million) related to an October 2022fire at the facility and violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act found during a 2021 complianceevaluation. This is just scratching the surface of the damage.
Concern Citizens of Mossville have continued to advocate for the remaining residents who faceConcern Citizens of Mossville have continued to advocate for the remaining residents who facegrave risks in the community where they went to school, raised families, knew their neighbours,and honoured their heritage.
Our Demands
Sasol’s initial buyout program did not sufficiently solve the problems that the corporationSasol’s initial buyout program did not sufficiently solve the problems that the corporationcreated. Sasol made Mossville unlivable for many residents due to the dangerous emissionsfrom its Lake Charles facilities. Instead of ensuring that the people of Mossville were adequatelycompensated for their homes/properties, Sasol’s inequitable buyout program was insufficient formany Mossville residents to relocate.
As South Africans, we are familiar with Sasol’s mistreatment of the people and communities thatAs South Africans, we are familiar with Sasol’s mistreatment of the people and communities thatlive near its facilities. In solidarity with the people of Mossville, Louisiana, USA who wish torelocate, we demand that Sasol conduct an equitable buyout of their homes.
Signed,
- Centre for Applied Legal Studies
- Centre for Human Rights
- Diocese of Mzimvubu
- Legal Resources Centre
- Natural Justice
- Oxfam South Africa
- Sekhukhune Environmental Justice Network
- The Green Connection
- The Movement for Debt and Reparations
- Tyinirha Rural Development and Advice Centre
