‘Stop us if you can’ – owner

POLOKWANE – The moment the boilers were switched on, a foul stench permeated the air, making it very difficult to breathe or even speak.

This was Review’s experience at a smallholding in Palmietfontein on the Silicon Road this week while investigating complaints by residents. Speaking on behalf of residents in the area, Skillie Kruger said they had tried everything to address the problem to no avail before turning to the media as a last resort.

The had complained verbally and in writing to the municipality, to the Chinese nationals on the smallholding concerned and to the owner of the smallholding, Robbie Heinz.

“We first complained to the municipality in December last year when the residents of the smallholding started building a storeroom in which huge boiler-type tanks were installed.

“The municipality confirmed in writing that these people were trading illegally and that they should stop construction as the property was not zoned for business,” Kruger said.

By this time several vehicles were making deliveries at all hours of the day and night, he said.

“We don’t know what they manufacture but it smells awful. It seems to be meat by-products,” he said.

More boilers were installed in January and this time, after another complaint was lodged, the municipality sent an inspector to the premises. The visit was followed by another letter from the municipality demanding activities be halted immediately.

According to Kruger, even more boilers were installed after this.

In the meantime, residents discovered that waste products from the boilers were seemingly being emptied into a dam on the plot.

“This is a serious concern, as it could poison the entire underground water table,” he said.

After more complaints residents were told that the matter had been referred to the municipality’s legal department. Kruger said nothing came of Heinz’s promises to address the issue.

Municipal spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo said the municipality had prioritised the matter, handing it over to the legal section.

“We issued several notices and activities simply resumed. The matter has been handed over to our legal section for a court order to compel the owners to stop all operations. The process is in motion”.

Wane Ho, one of the Chinese nationals on the premises and a manager of the business was approached for comment. He said they manufactured part of a product that was sent to Gauteng where it was used in the manufacturing of other products, including dog food.

He referred enquiries to the owner of the business, Ai Chan.

When Review contacted Chan for comment, he cursed and ended the call.

Speaking on behalf of Robbie Heinz, the owner of the smallholding, his brother, Gordon Heinz, said residents in the area had nothing better to do than complain.

“Just because Chinese nationals reside in their community they are targeting them because they are not from South Africa. The problem with these people (residents) is that they are like spoilt children.

“These idiots are bored with themselves and have nothing to do. Give me their names and I will show you that I will give each of them R10 000, and they will have something to do and stop complaining,” he threatened.

He blamed the foul smell on nearby mining activities.

Gordon Heinz was skeptical about the municipality’s processes, saying in the end “nothing would be done to stop the activities”.

He said any further communication in this regard could be done through his attorney, Nicky Bosman. He said Bosman was dealing with the matter and would assist the Chinese nationals in legal representation in the matter.

Approached for comment, Bosman confirmed Gordon Heinz as a client and said he was aware of the property involved, but denied any knowledge of the complaints.

Spokesperson for the department of environmental affairs, Napho Bakos couldn’t immediately comment on the waste being dumped in the dam.

His comment will be published next week.