Reiger Park residents raise safety concerns over mining operation
Adding to all the township woes is the flooding of homes as a result of rainwater runoff from the mining site.
Following the death of the two children, residents of Reiger Park have raised several other concerns about the unsafe environment the community is subjected to.
They said despite community leaders having been locked in ‘constant battle’ with the mine authorities, nothing has changed.
Former ward councillor Douglas Scholtz said they (community leaders) have for years been trying to get the mine and government authorities to address all the safety concerns but to no avail.
“We have thousands of people living in the properties next to the mine, and one wonders why there are no safety measures introduced by the responsible company involved in an operation of that magnitude?
“In my opinion, both government and the mining company are responsible for the tragedy around the children’s death, and I see no reason why delictual claims may not be imposed. The silence of government and community leaders concerning these matters are deafening especially when children have to pay the price under the current Bill of Rights,” said Scholtz.
More woes for residents:
Adding to all the township woes is the flooding of homes as a result of rainwater runoff from the mining site during heavy rainfall.
Residents of the flood-hit section of the township said they have for years been battling water runoffs from the mining site that flow down to the nearby properties before decanting into the nearby water catchment and then flowing into Cinderella Dam.
According to one of the affected residents, former ward councillor Charlie Crawford, during heavy rains, the mining site sends filthy water crashing into their homes, located between the ‘Flats’ section and Cinderella Dam.
“During the summer heavy rains, the water runoff from the mine contribute to severe flooding in the township.
“We have seen our homes flooded time after time as huge volumes of contaminated mine water and sludge gush out of the mining site,” said Crawford.
Crawford explained that the mine water causes fast run-off into stormwater drains, which are then overloaded, causing the roads and people’s yards to flood.
“This contaminated runoff from the mine has devastating consequences to our properties and the environment. It contaminates the local waterways and then washes into the Cinderella Dam, silting it up,” said Crawford.
Crawford said he contacted the mine and was told that water had built up in the mine’s shallow water channel and escaped into the township.
Scholtz and many other residents echoed Crawford’s sentiment and said the mining company has been getting away with all these problems plaguing the community for years because the government turned a blind eye.
Scholtz argued the mine should have been aware of blockages in its waterway.
“The flooding issue is an old song that keeps repeating. It’s clear to all of us that there’s no effort made to mitigate the negative effects caused by the mining activities.
“It’s hard to believe that the mine is not responsible for damage caused by the floodwater and the pollution of the local water bodies.”
The Advertiser has approached the mine for comment but none has so far been received.
Also Read: Families escape death as mineshaft opens up beneath homes
Also Read: Reiger Park brothers found dead in mining area
