Factory adamant on toxic emissions

Mapanga Township residents in Blantyre continue inhaling toxic emissions a month after the Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (Mepa) fined a factory responsible for it.

The factory, trading under ZY Investments, was among four slapped with K3 million fines as per Environment Management Act (2017) for non-compliance of environmental standards.

Initially, the factory was faulted for failing to conduct an environmental compliance audit and raising the chimney to allow smoke to go far into the atmosphere.

Mepa moved to crack its whip after Nation on Sunday edition of February 18 2024 exposed how the factory’s emissions are affecting residents’ health.

In an interview on Wednesday, a resident Tavwana Chirwa said it is surprising that the factory continues to operate without a raised chimney.

He said: “As of today [Wednesday], the factory is still emitting smoke directly into our compounds. We were of the view that since Mepa came, this would stop.”

Chirwa said the matter smacks of negligence on the part of authorities as they have not taken prompt action on the factory.

When we visited the factory on Wednesday morning, smoke flowed directly to the ground. Passers-by coughed or covered their nose and mouths to avoid inhaling it.

The closer we got to the factory, the stronger the stench. We were not allowed inside.

We observed smoke from all sides, directly onto the ground. There was no chimney.

This is apart from the noise coming from the factory.

Chirwa said he went to Blantyre City Council offices to complain on behalf of the residents.

Another resident Chifuniro Makumba said it is worrisome that no action was taken.

“We hoped that after Mepa came, the situation would improve. But looking at the situation, it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Mercy Malikita, another resident, claimed that authorities seem to fear the owners of the factory, a Chinese couple.

Our efforts to engage the owners proved futile.

Mapanga Ward councillor Emmanuel Matewere claimed the owners pulled a gun at him when he went to reason by the residents to help on the matter.

On that particular day, some residents accompanied Matewere, but the matter was never reported to police.

Jefita Thomas, who witnessed the incident, said it was shocking to see the owner brandishing a weapon.

“That was the first time I saw a real gun. I only see it on television and since then, I am afraid to go back,” he said.

Blantyre City Council chief executive officer Dennis Chinseu in a telephone interview on Thursday said action is being taken on the factory.

But he said there are multiple regulators who have to find common ground for a permanent solution.

He said: “The issue also involves Mepa as a regulator. So, as you can see, there are multiple regulators, including the council.

“We don’t want a scenario where we close the factory and Mepa comes in to say it wasn’t the right thing to do and reverses the decision.”

But Chinseu said he would send us a comprehensive response through WhatsApp which at press time yesterday had not been sent.

Despite numerous attempts, Mepa acting director general Tiwonge Mbale Luka was unavailable for comment while Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Michael Usi on Tuesday asked for more time before responding.

When we followed up with Usi on Friday, he said: “You will surely get a response. This is a critical matter that needs some digging.”

When Mepa went to the factory, the Chinese owners refused to sign a document bearing the K3 million penalty.

The document was left on the ground as Mepa officials walked out of the compound.

Movement for Environmental Action co-chairperson Mathews Malata faulted Mepa for failing to undertake environmental audits as witnessed in the ZY Investments scenario.

Environmental pollution, in whatever form, contravenes Section 4 (1) of the Environmental Management Act which states that every person has a right to a clean environment.

Part of the Section reads: “In furtherance of the right to a clean and healthy environment and the enforcement of the duty to safeguard and enhance the environment, the authority or lead agency so informed or any person interested in enforcing the right to a clean and healthy environment shall be entitled to bring an action against any person whose activities or omissions have or are likely to have a significant impact on the environment.”