OREANDA-NEWS. November 08, 2012. Sasol Mining today officially handed over suction trucks to the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (GMM) for the community of Charl Cilliers to alleviate water borne diseases. This initiative forms part of the recently launched Social Labour Plans and the R100 million to be invested by Sasol in the region in the coming year.

These trucks will be able to empty the pits and drains in the area on a weekly basis to prevent the occurrence and the spread of water borne diseases to the 3 000 member community of Charl Cilliers. Each truck has a capacity of 10 000 litres and is scheduled to empty pits twice a day. This will remove 40 000 litres of sewage sludge per day from Charl Cilliers and transport it to the Evander sewage plant of the GMM. The trucks are valued at R3,5 million and the operators and drivers have already been trained on the sophisticated technology installed.

“For our communities to thrive, they must first be afforded healthy and hygienic living conditions. At Sasol we believe in the philosophy of strengthening communities and through this investment the community of Charl Cilliers will have access to daily sewage removal which lessens the risk of contaminated water and unhygienic conditions. The provision of basic services will positively impact the vitality and health of this community,” says Nzama Baloyi, General Manager, Sasol Mining.

“This project marks another step towards developing communities in the Govan Mbeki Municipality and ensuring they are healthy. Our sustainable development depends on building strong and mutually beneficial relationships and we will continue to invest in our communities,” said Maurice Radebe, Group Executive, Sasol.

As part of its commitment to its home-base, South Africa, Sasol increased its capital expenditure locally by 14% in the past financial year to R18.8 billion, which represents approximately 70% of total capital expenditure. Sasol will invest R200 million in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga and the Metsimaholo Municipality to enhance the sustainable development of the communities in both regions, over and above Sasol’s existing social investment.