FXI SUPPORTS A COMMUNITY'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT!

The Freedom of Expression Institute has expressed its support for the community of Vanderbijlpark in Johannesburg, in its struggle for a better environment against South Africa's iron and steel giant Iscor.

For several years now, the community, which is mainly composed of small-scale agricultural farmers has been locked in a bitter struggle against the continued pollution of their land, air and underground water sources by Iscor's Vanderbijlpark steel plant, located 70 kilometers South of Johannesburg.

This environmental pollution has resulted in disastrous consequences for the lives and livelihoods of the community, their animals and properties. Residents have complained of suffering from a range of ailments including respiratory complications, skin problems and strokes.

The community has already taken Iscor to court over the pollution but in February this year, the High Court issued a gagging order against the residents who filed the case, prohibiting them from communicating directly or indirectly with the media on matters connected with the case.

In a press statement released earlier today, the FXI expressed its deep concern, that this poor community has, without justification, been unreasonably restrained from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression. This right, the FXI noted, includes the community's freedom to communicate with the press and other media as well as their freedom to receive or impart information or ideas to assist in their struggle.

The FXI stated that it viewed the gagging order imposed upon the victims in very serious light and noted that the right to environmental justice cannot be realised without the concomitant freedom of victims to express their opposition to the activities of Iscor.

The FXI further noted that the constitution grants each and every individual the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being, and the state has an obligation to protect and enhance this right.

The FXI called upon the government to intervene on behalf of the affected community in order to enforce their right to clean water, clean air and a healthy and sustainable environment. It also urged the state to prevail upon Iscor to redress the human and environmental disaster it has created, and called for mechanisms such as the establishment of appropriate modalities for compensation, medical treatment and land rehabilitation for the victims.