An employee of Sasol has made allegations at the South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) inquiry into the contamination of the river, held at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, that the petrochemical giant of intentionally polluting the Vaal River. Residents in the Vaal area had complained about the foul smell in the area and alleged that the smell made them sick. This prompted the SAHRC to  to establish an inquiry to determine whether the spillage amounted to an infringement of basic human rights, and what may have caused the pollution in the first place. Sasol has however denied the allegations made by the employee saying the allegations and media reports are factually incorrect and that the official was not authorised to give such testimony. Includes company response.