Smoking field a concern for Adams Mission

By Simiso Ngcobo

ADAMS MISSION citizens have been complaining about chemical smoke emanating from a sports field near their houses.

According to Busani Hlengwa, who works near the field, Ngqobheni sports field was once a dumping spot during the 1990s. Companies used to dump their chemicals. “One of the chemical companies evicted two families who were living near the field. Soon after they began dumping chemicals,” said Hlengwa.

Soccer coach Langelihle Ngcongo told the SUN, the smoke coming from the field affected the health of youngsters during training sessions. “The smoke doesn’t smell good at all. It is harmful to children, as it makes them feel dizzy during training sessions.

When we inhale the smoke, it smells as if something is burning under the field,” said Ngcongo. Heat from under the ground has caused cracks in the soil, in some places exposing big holes where it is believed the smoke emanates from. “The community cannot use the field for recreational purposes. There is a fear of people falling into the holes and burning to death,” Ngcongo added.

Local councillor, Makhosi Mbhele noticed chemical smoke emanating from the field on Sunday, 16 October during a community meeting held at the field but did not comment on a possible solution.

Sizwe Ngcobo, a community member who attended Sunday’s public meeting, told the SUN the field is an example that shows the sports committee in Adams Mission is not doing its job, because the problem has existed since the early 2000s but nobody has bothered to rectify it.

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