Environmental activism community comes together to close mine holes in Wesselton
“Since this is a job requiring specialists who are trained in this kind of work, the global environmental activism community has opened their hearts and will be sending specialists who will ensure the closing of these holes is done properly and efficiently,” KECG spokesman, Mr Zethu Hlatshwayo said.
The Khuthala Environmental Care Group (KECG) with the help of their global environmental care network and concerned residents living near the mine holes in Wesselton, have taken it upon themselves to close the mine holes near the Steve Biko informal settlement in Wesselton.
As previously reported in the Highvelder, 9 November, mine holes pose a danger to residents in Wesselton.
The Steve Biko informal settlement is partially surrounded by big holes filled with murky green water with residents alleging that some people have drowned in such.
In one of the service delivery marches by residents, one demand was that the mine holes near the settlement be closed completely.
However, Msukaligwa Municipality said it cannot fulfill such a demand as it is not their responsibility and it had warned people not to occupy such land and was adamant the area was not suitable for human habitation.
KECG agreed with the municipality’s statement of not being responsible for closing the mine holes, saying the closing of the mine holes in and around Wesselton is the responsibility of the mine and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).
However, DMRs’ Mpumalanga Regional Office closed down on Monday, 3 September and according to a DMR media statement, the closure follows feedback received from clients on the challenges they face at that office, relating mainly to backlogs in the issuing of licenses and allegations of corruption.
KECG used their global environmental network and enlisted the help of a good Samaritan, who provided the group with machinery and manpower to close the holes.
Work commenced on Friday, 16 November with the first stage being the building of a road for easy access to the holes via the Bethal road, which will take approximately a month.
Samples of the soil and coal were also collected on Friday.
“Since this is a job requiring specialists who are trained in this kind of work, the global environmental activism community has opened their hearts and will be sending specialists who will ensure the closing of these holes are done properly and efficiently,” KECG spokesman, Mr Zethu Hlatshwayo said.
After the completion of the temporary road, work will begin in earnest to close the mine holes in Wesselton.
“Since nobody wants to take responsibility of closing these holes, the community and with the help of concerned individuals will close them ourselves,” Mr Hlatshwayo concluded.
