Tunatazama - Community Monitors

TOXICOLOGY REPORT: A YEAR AFTER DISASTER

Thabo Ishmael Choledi

Life has never been the same again for the community of Jagersfontein a year after the devastating disaster of 11th September last year. The water quality and the cloud of dust that continues to engulf the community, are a constant reminder of what happened and should not have happened. Our living conditions are less than human to say the least. To tell the truth, as the people of Itumeleng and Charlesville we wouldn’t have been aware of the toxins in our water and soil. All credit to the Benchmarks Foundation  research team, today we know the danger that awaits us as we enter and exit our homes.

 

As the community we were oblivious to the danger that was facing us and not knowing what to do after the disaster, even our government failed us by not providing necessary aid to us.

It is an open secret that our government officials are complicit to what the mine is doing. The illegal mining of diamonds is a clear and present danger that has put the community in jeopardy. Even to this day, after a year since the disaster we haven’t seen any government official to come and guide us on how to handle the situation concerning our water and soil contamination. Recently we managed to speak to Richard Spoor Attorneys regarding the matter, it was during that discussion when he told us that he managed to talk to all involved. He got no clarity from both parties because no one is willing to take full responsibility for what took place.

 

Based on the attorney’s expertise and his deep knowledge of the legal system, heads have begun to roll and people are playing hide and seek. We’re facing difficulty after toxic tests that were conducted on the mine sludge that has ran through our residential area and the river downstream. Our attorneys are now equally concerned as us about the sluggish response of our government and  the mine company. Our major concern is how long this disaster is going to devastate the community whole killing many people.

 

Toxicology research was commissioned and tests were conducted and is still an ongoing process, other results have come out and they are showing a beautiful picture. The challenge is how are we going to handle the poisonous chemicals that are lying abundantly on our streets and downstream at the river. This is where the municipality is treating the water for human consumption, that means our people are supplied with contaminated water and the whole region is drinking contaminated water.

 

Below is the list of chemicals found at the laboratory from the samples that were taken on the mine tailings.

 

 

  1. Chrome six (which can cause cancer)
  2. Arsenic
  3. Boron
  4. Berium
  5. Couphard
  6. Nickle (it was found in large volumes and can cause dry skin problems, bloody nose and develop Asthma in small children)
  7. Felium
  8. Salfix salt
  9. Asbestos (results are still pending)

 

 

 

 

 

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