Dust from the tailing negatively impacts business people
Tshidi sebogodi
In our community dust has created a huge impact on the lives of those who live near it, this dust affects everyone in the community especially people who are hustlers and trying to better their lives eg. mechanics and street vendors. It is very hard for them to work in the streets when it is very dusty, sometimes they will have to cover the things they are selling, especially food and this has made them lose customers. Mechanics can’t work outside also because when they have to diagnose their client’s cars the dust gets into their eyes. This is happening from time to time in our community.
It also causes many illnesses in our elderly people and children have shortness of breath, asthma, eczema, and other health issues. This dust also includes sinuses as other people are sensitive to rough smells like dust, smoke, and even perfume. Once a mistake happens and they inhale a lot of dust this may harm the person very seriously it may lead to serious injuries or even death.
The community had once come up with a solution for what must happen when the dust starts rising, they once installed taps on tailings so that every time it got windy the water must start running down the mountain but due to crime, those taps have been stolen. We have no other solution better than that one and phytoremediation. For the dust to decrease when it is a windy day authorities must install taps and monitor contamination degrees.
They must also hire security to guard the taps not to be stolen. On the 10th of June 2024, it was so dusty we could not see where we were headed or going, when you arrive home you will find that the dust is all over your body as if you were working under the ground in mine and your eyes itching because of dust.
This dust affects the whole of Snakepark but today it was so much worse moving to neighboring townships like Zola, Dobsonville, and Braamfisherville coming from tailings mine dump.
A better solution is to engage with stakeholders to do awareness and campaign.