Enviroserv must be held accountable for toxic dump

I LIVE in the Outer West. For over a year, we have been experiencing a toxic odour in our air. At first it was a light sort of smell, which was not offensive and most of us thought it was just something being burnt.

As time progressed, we noticed this odour became stronger and hung around 24/7, affecting vast areas.

We have now reached a dangerous stage where it has been identified as highly toxic to human and animal life. The communities affected are suffering from bronchitis, rhinitis, burning eyes and sore throats.

Pregnant mothers’ babies are endangered, children are filling our hospitals, doctors’ rooms are chock-a-block with patients.

When the smell hits our area (it hits different parts according to wind direction) my chest closes up; I sneeze repeatedly and my nose becomes irritated.

The culprit is Enviroserv, who are using all kinds of dirty tricks to evade responsibility.

Why was Enviroserv granted a toxic waste licence to dump benzine mixed with other toxins right in the middle of a huge community? ethekwini Municipality must answer this, but they do not.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, which is supposed to monitor all air, has not done a proper job. Although we are fighting Enviroserv, they keep coming up with loopholes that allow them to continue dumping in some form.

The community is against this. We have been subjected to endless and useless meetings which end in anger and lack direction.

We want this toxic waste dump shut. If we had a government of substance, it would not allow any company to import toxic waste and earn billions by doing this.

We are appealing to your newspaper, and others, to back us in our fight to live and breathe clean air.

Y SMITH Winston Park