Komatipoort structures vow to put an end to illegal dumping of minerals in the area
These concerned stakeholders said they are concerned about the hazard that comes with the minerals constantly dumped into the water systems. They recently signed an affidavit at the Komatipoort Police Station.
Community structures in the Komatipoort area have gathered to take a stand against the illegal dumping of minerals by truck drivers in the area.
The Strydomblok Farmers Association, Komatipoort Community Policing Forum, Hectorspruit Business Chamber and Komatipoort Business Chamber submitted an affidavit to the Komatipoort Police Station on Tuesday February 6 for the police to conduct an inquiry into the issue.
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“We want the police to open a criminal investigation and pursue prosecution over the illegal dumping of minerals, of which National Environmental Management Act approvals do not exist. The discovery of mineral deposits on the Furley’s Drift bridge on December 13 sparked outrage in the broader Komatipoort community. Footage showed long trails of minerals contaminating the river, despite repeated pleas to tipper truck fleets to stop illegal dumping along the N4 and feeder roads. This was not the first or last of these kinds of activities. The mineral dumping occurs daily in the Onderberg, and it is done blatantly,” said the KBC’s Jan Engelbrecht.
These stakeholders claim that the illegal dumping is a hazard to the health of the community and the agricultural heartland. “The mineral waste poses a danger to local farmers and their crops. As part of our efforts alongside the KBC and community policing forum to curb illegal dumping, we organised a community meeting with an environmental specialist and district environment inspectors to educate residents and highlight the illegality of these practices. During this meeting, a clear warning was issued to mining and transport operators about potential criminal and civil action for non-compliance. We are raising concerns about the well-known impacts of mining on water quality and its detrimental effects on aquatic life and water usability,” said Engelbrecht.
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The concerned parties said they would do everything possible to get the truck drivers to stop dumping minerals in this manner. “We have been documenting every possible instance of these illegal dumping acts and we will escalate them to the right platforms until it comes to an end. Robert Davel of the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture has committed that his department will work tirelessly to bring the mines and fleet owners to legal account. The matter has been shared with the co-ordinators of the National Logistic Crisis Committees, and a strong call has been issued to truck drivers to comply with all relevant environmental regulations to avoid further endangering the community.”
The police say they have received the affidavit and an inquiry will be opened on the matter. “We can confirm that the structures visited our Komatipoort offices on Tuesday February 6 and spoke to our personnel about their concerns. We will open an inquiry and help the community where possible,” said a police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi.
