Health concerns raised by residents

IGGS PEAK – Residents around Malolotja chert mine have raised concerns over whether the mine would not bring about negative health impacts.

They have also raised concerns that the heavy trucks, transporting the mineral were damaging their houses.

This was during the scoping meeting held at Killarney Sports Field in Pigg’s Peak yesterday.

Nonsikelelo Shongwe from Ndeva chiefdom was the first to raise a concern about the damage being caused by trucks to their houses. Shongwe said her house was about four metres away from the newly-constructed road and had developed cracks due to the movement of the trucks transporting the mineral.

She also mentioned that during the construction of the road, one of the houses that was under construction was demolished by a bolder, which rolled over and they were not compensated.

COMPLAINED

Meanwhile, Lusito Shongwe said his main concern was health and revealed that he recently complained about the dust and the company promised to do something about it, yet nothing had been done to date yet they could be exposed to contracting TB.

He further questioned if the company put the health of their workers first, while mentioning that his brother who was employed at the mine recently came home with a heavy nose bleed and after he was assessed by the companies doctors he was informed that he was ok.

“We are worried that in the next five years we will be forced to bury our brothers and sisters.” said Shongwe.

Meanwhile, Philile Mncina welcomed the job opportunities that were brought by the mine. She, however, pleaded with the company to construct a market for the vendors around the area so they could be able to feed their families.

The residents also mentioned the company should prioritise employing people from around the area who were qualified, instead of bringing people from other communities and from outside the country.

HARMFUL

Bhekithemba Masuku enquired if the company would use harmful chemicals that would wash off into Maguga Dam, which benefits thousands of people who use the water for household purposes.

In response, Michael Lee Enterprises Operations Director Mfanufikile Mashinini, said they were aware of the house that was damaged by a bolder during the construction of the road and would address the matter.

Pertaining to the health concerns, Mashinini said as a company, they took the health of their employees and community members seriously. “For instance, all our employees have medical aid and we conduct regular check-ups on them and prioritise their health.

The director added that as a company their main objective was to bring development and not to destroy the area or the lives of the people. He assured that there were no pollutants that would contaminate the environment or the water in the area.