Lance Greyling, the ID spokesperson for environmental affairs, says the response of the DA’s provincial leader for the Western Cape, Theuns Botha, to comments made by ID President Patricia de Lille in Mossel Bay ‘is a case of infantile politics.
 
‘When at a community meeting to solve the Creosoet factory crisis she spoke about “paluka’s”, Ms Lille was referring to Mossel Bay councillors in 2002, when the pollution crises at the Creosoet factory started.
 
‘Not only is Botha taking the comment completely out of context, but he fails to see the success of the ID’s engagement politics. After consulting with all interested parties, we were given the undertaking by the ministry of environmental affairs that the factory would be shut down,’ Greyling says.
 
He says the department sent a letter to the factory today announcing its intent to shut it down.
 
‘Residents of the two affected areas had exhausted all channels with provincial and local government by the time they approached us. We decided to solve this on a national level and this is exactly what we did.
 
‘The ID does not have time for infantile politics,’ says Greyling, 'we find solutions.'
  
Released by Lance Greyling – 083 298 8553