The Knysna Municipality has been fined R10 million for breaching multiple environmental laws, with the court suspending the fine for five years under conditions aimed at addressing environmental damage and improving infrastructure. Pictured is the Knysna Estuary which had been affected by a number of sewage spills.
Knysna municipality will have to cough up R10million after it received the hefty fine on Wednesday from the Knysna Regional Court following its conviction having faced eleven counts of contravening the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, contravention of the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1998 and contravention of the National Water Act 36 of 1998.
The municipality, which was recently declared as a water-stressed area, admitted guilt and entered a plea agreement.
The court suspended the R10 million fine for five years on condition that the municipality utilises the same amount to conduct emergency repairs in accordance with the plea and sentencing agreement and within the agreed deadlines.
It was fined on five counts of contravening the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998; four counts of contravening the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008; one count of contravening the Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989; and one count of contravening the National Water Act 36 of 1998.
