BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd was found guilty under s 29(4) of the Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989 (ECA) for failing to obtain environmental authorisation to construct filling stations for underground storage of petrol and diesel (dangerous goods) at 17 sites. The convictions occurred in respect of counts 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 to 21, representing filling stations constructed between May 1999 and March 2002. BP had admitted in a s 24G application under NEMA that it commenced listed activities without environmental authorisation. A significant fuel spill of approximately 8000 litres occurred at BP Rabie Ridge (count 21) before January 2010, which was not disclosed during the s 24G rectification process until April 2016. BP's s 24G applications were found to be inadequate, lacking specialist reports and failing to comply with monitoring requirements.