Dr Mdluli challenged the portrayal of DEA officials as ineffective implementers and enforcers of relevant legislation, pertaining to air quality; and indicated that the Department works with competent people, authorising and enforcing the Air Quality Act. Concerning the lack of interaction between polluters and local communities, she indicated that certain people from the concerned industries and even herself were threatened by local communities. Mr Samson Mokoena contended that no one was threatened.