Hazardous sand covers road – JRA aware of problem
Residents of Davidsonville suffering from hazardous sand.
Fearick Street in Davidsonville is strewn with sand originating from a mining dump.
This sand has traces of both silicon and cyanide, which can cause lung disease. According to the residents of the area, the sand has been tested to establish this. The sand on the road has been a problem for around five years now.
However, residents claim the mine dump is not the cause for the sand on the road, but the issue with the sand started when a tender was given to build gabions to direct water to the stormwater pipe.
According to ward 71 councillor René Benjamin, it was a v-trap from the acid drainage system from the mine that was blocked and flooded the park next to the mine.
Out of desperation, the residents have been cleaning the road themselves, as their complaints to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and ward councillor yielded no results.
According to the residents, JRA took a look at the area but never did anything regarding the ongoing issue, except sweeping all the sand onto one heap at the side of the road, however, this heap is still a cause for concern.
Benjamin confirmed that JRA is aware of the issue.
Bertha Scheepers, JRA spokesperson, said, “JRA is not aware of the complaint however our teams will be on-site to inspect the road and will then ensure that the road is cleared of the mine silt to ensure ease of traffic and safety.”
The act of cleaning the road themselves holds more danger to the residents. This is, however secondary to the danger the hazardous sand poses to the children of the area. There are residents with babies at home, not to mention children who already suffer from asthma.
The schoolchildren, unaware of the danger the sand poses, play in the sand, as they would in a sandpit. The largest sand pile on the road is also right next to the park.
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The residents that live next to the road do not open their windows due to the sand.
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“JRA is responsible for the roads and therefore no matter what’s on it, it is their responsibility to clean it and make sure it is of safe usage for the motorists that have to drive on it,” Benjamin concluded.
