Soil being removed in Daggafontein

Heaps of soil have been removed from Diamond Road, Daggafontein Extension, much to the dismay of residents.

Resident Johnny Mulder says the workers there claim the soil is radio active.

His question is why, if the soil is contaminated, are the workers not wearing protective clothing?

Daggafontein Extension Two Community Police Forum chairman, Barries Barnard, feels strongly about the environment and is not happy with the removal of the soil.

Barnard is also concerned about the bulldozer crossing Fisheagle Road, which damages the tar.

When the Addie visited the site on Friday, one of the workers on scene, who requested not to be named, says they are not excavating the soil, but found it there.

He believes the soil comes from illegal mining activities and that it contains ‘acid’.

When the Addie asked him why they are removing the soil, he explained they were commissioned by the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality’s Environmental Department.

He claims zama zamas visited the site to speak to the workers on Friday, and complained about the removal of the soil as it reveals their hiding place.

The worker questioned by the Addie says they are not removing any trees and will level the ground when done.

It is not known to whom the land belongs, although the worker claims it belongs to the Department of Mineral Resources.

The Addie attempted to contact the contractor and left several messages on his cellphone, to which he did not respond.

DA ward councillor for the area Shadow Shabangu met with one of the construction company workers who informed him they were allegedly instructed by the Department of Mineral Resources to relocate the soil.

“This is of great concern to me, as I believe the mining soil might contain radio active particles,” he says.

He instructed them to cease the operation and ordered them to bring proof of the operation on Monday.

Shabangu feels, if the soil is contaminated, it should be taken to a landfill site and not to a site in Evander as claimed by the contractor.

He will give the Addie more information on Monday.

Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe says although the metro had a clean-up project last year, which focused on eradicating leftovers from the illegal mining activities near the Blesbokspruit Wetland, they are not aware of what is taking place in Daggafontein.

“At the same time there were engagements with a company who were in the process of removing a rock dump in Springs,” he says.

Themba adds that an official from the Metro’s Environmental Management department has contacted the company to enquire if they know anything about the site and project in question.

They allegedly stated that they have two companies working on site and will conduct a site inspection before giving more information on the project.