THE eThekwini Conservancies Forum has passed a resolution to support the Upper Highway Air NPC in their efforts to resolve the pollution emanating from the Shongweni Landfill site.
Paolo Candotti, of the eThekwini Conservancies Forum, said the biggest immediate challenge facing UHA is the funds needed for monitoring equipment and the cost of technical experts as witnesses in the court challenge.
“The conservancies were requested to use their communications networks to spread the information on the work and needs of UHA and to assist in any way possible with fund-raising for UHA,” said Candotti.
Posters were drawn up to create awareness about the toxic chemicals the community was breathing in as per the WSP Air Quality Impact and Odour Assessment conducted by UHA, which is now being circulated on social media.
ALSO READ: Upper Highway Air files papers against DEA Minister and other authorities
Some of the findings were Ethelbenzene (symptoms are respiratory tract and eye irritation, dizziness and vertigo), M/P-Xyelene (symptoms are headaches, dizziness and nausea, vomiting), O-Xylene (symptoms are depression of central nervous system), Styrene (symptoms are depression, headaches, concentration problems, fatigue, nausea and drowsiness), Toluene (symptoms are upper respiratory tract irritation, sore throat, dizziness and headache), Trichloroethene (symptoms are dizziness, headaches, confusion, euphoria, facial numbness and weakness), and Benzene (symptoms are drowsiness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, headaches and tremor).
Some of these chemicals are Carcinogenic (can cause cancer). Please note: the sampling was done upwind, downwind and in the community. Chemicals were found downwind and in the the community which shows they are emanating from the Shongweni landfill.
“This issue does not just affect people living in the Upper Highway area. It is also an issue of principle that we need to stand together as conservancies when faced with issues like this. We are fortunate that an organisation like Upper Highway Air has been willing to take up the challenge. They need our support,” added Candotti.
The UHA’s call for fund-raising is to continue the legal process. The UHA NPC delivered its supplementary founding affidavit in the review application on 13 April to EnviroServ, the Minister of Department of Environmental Affairs and eThekwini’s attorneys.
ALSO READ: UHA addresses community’s concerns about Shongweni stench
The UHA members will appear in the Durban High Court on 26 April to support its legal team in application for EnviroServ to produce, among other things, air monitoring data from EnviroServ community monitors; and also to oppose EnviroServ’s objection to UHA summons which claims revocation of its licence if by trial EnviroServ is still causing community impacts, and disgorgement of profits resulting from breaches.
Lauren Johnson, founding director of UHA NPC said: “EnviroServ has filed their reply and has finally admitted that not all information had been given to UHA. They have now stated they will hand this information to us. We will have to wait to see if they submit all of the information this time.”
EnviroServ responds:
EnviroServ spokesman Thabiso Taaka said: “EnviroServ has previously provided all data legally required. We have made the decision to provide additional information, although not legally obliged to do so.”
ALSO READ: Shongweni Landfill company claims success but it still stinks
He added in response to EnviroServ’s objection to UHA summons: “UHA Particulars of Claim is not clear and the exception notice is an effort by EnviroServ to clarify what the basis of the claim is.”
Report the smell
You can report the smell either through the UHA website, www.upperhighwayair.co.za or the Upper Highway Air apps for Android and iOS.
Reports can be made for everyone over the age of 14, at every location you smell it and if you are at one place and the smell lasts for a long period of time every hour.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
